On entering the Temple, the beautiful empowerment shrine shone out from the front. Five exquisite hand crafted and painted statues embodying the five lineages of Dorje Shugden, our Dharma Protector, in his pacifying, increasing, controlling, wrathful and supreme aspects. He was surrounded by beautiful flowers, carefully arranged offerings and empowerment ritual items, all lovingly prepared.  Filling the rest of the space on both sides of the teaching throne were abundant offerings, including offerings for Wishfulfilling Jewel with tsog which formed part of the empowerment. In such a setting it was not so difficult to let go of ordinary appearances and to feel transported to the Pure Land to receive the empowerment.

During the ceremony Gen-la Jampa helped us to become much more closely acquainted with who Dorje Shugden is and to deeply appreciate the pre-eminent qualities of the Kadam Dharma that he protects. We learned how he is one nature with Je Tsongkhapa and the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri, and discovered how we can attain Enlightenment quickly through practicing the Kadam Dharma of Lamrim, Lojong and Vajrayana Mahamudra. Venerable Geshe-la, who in his lifetime caused pure Kadam Dharma to flourish internationally, said, "Fortunately through the power of Dorje Shugden we have re-established and renewed Kadampa Buddhism."

The day finished with a full Temple of practitioners chanting Offering to the Spiritual Guide together. It felt very powerful to spend the evening connecting with our precious root Guru, making heartfelt requests to gain all the individual realizations of Kadam Dharma and sending out powerful collective prayers for suffering to cease and peace to flourish in the world. 

What a truly blessed day!