Today we celebrate Buddha’s first turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra), when Buddha gave the very first Dharma teachings in this world. On this day we remember his immeasurable kindness.

We also celebrate the birthday of our precious Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Through his extraordinary kindness, dedication, and effort in establishing the New Kadampa Tradition to spread and preserve the pure teachings of Buddha in our world, countless people now have the opportunity to encounter and engage with these teachings, and thus have the potential to attain all the spiritual realizations that lead to full enlightenment.

By taking his teachings to heart may we each help to fulfil his extraordinary, compassionate vision of bringing pure Kadam Dharma to every country in the world, and in this way bestowing the perfect gift of lasting peace on the whole world.

May the bonds of love between him and his faithful disciples remain for all time, and may he always appear in our hearts and in our lives.