General Spiritual Director
Entering the New Year with Buddha’s Blessings
Jan 5, 2025
Entering the New Year with Buddha's Blessings
Centers around the world celebrated New Year's Eve in numerous ways, entering 2025 with Buddha's blessings. Communities gathered to enjoy courses, empowerments, chanted prayers, and festive buffets to start the year in the most meaningful way. See the article to hear from Manjushri KMC and Atisha KMC in the UK, Tharpaland KMC and KMC Hamburg in Germany.
Tara's Blessings with Gen Tonglam at Manjushri KMC
At Manjushri KMC in Ulverston, the Mother Center of the NKT-IKBU, hundreds of people gathered to hear the inspiring teaching of Gen Kelsang Tonglam, National Spiritual Director of Kadampa Buddhism for East Asia and the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Hong Kong and Kadampa Meditation Center Taiwan. We received wonderful advice for a happy New Year: learn to cherish others.
The introductory talk concluded with a buffet where everyone shared quality time discussing the teachings and expressing wishes for the coming year.
At 11 pm, the magic continued with praises and requests to our common holy Mother, Arya Tara, following the powerful prayers Liberation from Sorrow.
A MEANINGFUL NEW YEAR's EVE AT THARPALAND KMC
New year, new start! Away from the noise of the city and in the atmospheric surroundings of the Schloss, Tharpaland's community gathered together to spend an alcohol-free evening.
Our Resident Teacher, Gen Ananda, shared some precious advice on how to create true hope and confidence for 2025, no matter what happens. This was followed by a small buffet and time for conversation and socializing.
Just before midnight we began traditional prayers to Buddha Arya Tara, praying for the New Year to be a good one, followed by a non-alcoholic toast. In the late morning we then engaged in a beautiful meditation on loving kindness. What a great way to start the year!
Big thanks to everyone who contributed.
Happy New Year from Atisha KMC IN Darlington
Despite the dreadful weather people still made it to our 24-hour Tara Retreat. In the midnight session our Resident Teacher at Atisha KMC, Gen Chogma, guided us in a moving meditation on compassion using beautiful verses from Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life.
All six sessions were well attended with 23 people altogether - and we finished with a fabulous breakfast at the hotel across the road. We hope you've had a peaceful and meaningful start to 2025.
Magical new year with Buddha Avalokiteshvara in hamburg
At KMC Hamburg, 40 people celebrated the arrival of the new year - it was the biggest turnout for New Year's Eve we've had in many years :) The evening started with lots of joyful chatter over a delicious buffet of homemade food.
We then enjoyed an inspiring talk and guided meditation with our Resident Teacher, Kadam Miri, to help us develop meaningful, compassionate resolutions for the year ahead. Then we recited the mantra of Buddha Avalokiteshvara as we entered the new year. It was a magical evening.
