The New Zealand Festival is an annual event where people from the whole of NZ have a chance to come together and celebrate the teachings of Modern Buddhism in a peaceful yet vibrant environment. The Festival is characterised by joy, positive energy and the kindness of the Teachers and volunteers who run it.

This year around 60 fortunate Kadampas received powerful, heartfelt blessings and teachings from Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition. She granted the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara – the Buddha of Compassion – and shared the special teachings she received directly from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche on how to engage in this practice according to the very blessed instructions in Mirror of Dharma with Additions.