International Kadampa Fall Festivals are held at different venues each year; this year we are returning to the International Kadampa Retreat Center near the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For the first time since it opened in 2019 there is a huge international gathering taking place and now, after months of preparations, it is the first day of the Festival.

Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Deity, a Wisdom Dharma Protector. Venerable Geshe-la teaches us that Dorje Shugden is our Kadampa Buddhist Dharma Protector for modern times, and he is the synthesis of our Guru, Je Tsongkhapa; our Yidam or personal Tantric Deity, Heruka; and our Dharma Protector.

One of the many beautiful things about international Festivals is that everywhere you look you see faith and devotion in action. People make offerings, meditate, read and discuss Dharma between sessions as well as working with joy and enthusiasm to enable the Festival to run.

There is so much to appreciate and enjoy at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. It is set in such a beautiful natural location, and people enjoy walking amongst the trees, with the squirrels, chipmunks and birds. The appearance of the mountains on the horizon change with the time of day, as does the weather — from cold, clear and crisp in the mornings, to hazy in the warm afternoons. From radiant sunsets to luminous moonscapes, the views are impressive and ever changing.

On the final day of teachings, everyone's minds are very blessed, very touched and our dedication to wishing to serve others deepens. We deeply, deeply appreciate Gen-la Dekyong's clear, heartfelt teachings and her pure example as our General Spiritual Director, carrying such a great responsibility perfectly for 16 years with such joy and devotion. May our tradition continue to have many such pure examples in the future.

Dorje Shugden is a wisdom Buddha and Kadampa Buddhism in general is a wisdom lineage. During the Festival we have so many opportunities to train in the three kinds of wisdom. We have spent many days enjoying the wisdom of listening to Dharma teachings with Gen-la Dekyong. We train in the wisdom of contemplating through private reflection and discussing the teachings and our insights with friends. Now for the final day and a half we are developing our wisdom of meditation through many sessions of retreat with Gen Demo.

It's the last day of the Festival, with two final sessions of retreat in the Kadampa Temple for World Peace with Gen Demo. As the Festival draws to a close we savor the opportunity to meditate in the incredibly uplifting, blessed space of the Temple surrounded by sincere practitioners. As Gen Demo says at the conclusion, now we have another Kadampa home we can return to again and again.

A chance to revisit the engaging videos created during the Fall Festival. Enjoy!

The conclusion of the 2025 Fall Festival offers us an opportunity to reflect on this truly inspiring event.