General Spiritual Director
Celebrating Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day and the Birthday of our Spiritual Guide
Jun 4, 2026
Empowerments & retreats to end the year
As the year draws to a close, Kadampa centers around the world are offering meaningful empowerments and retreats, including at KMC Birmingham (UK), KMC Florida (US), KMC Brazil, KMC Vancouver & KMC Fraser Valley (Canada). These events invite practitioners to deepen their practice and experience peace before the new year.
A Meaningful End to the Term at KMC Birmingham
The community at Kadampa Meditation Centre Birmingham concluded the term with a series of inspiring events, beginning with a beautiful Medicine Buddha empowerment granted by their Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Leksang.
This was followed by a peaceful three-day guided Vajrasattva retreat, a class, and a Christmas party. Together, these events provided a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together and warmly welcome new people.
Everyone left feeling empowered, blessed, and inspired to deepen their practice and increase their ability to benefit others.
A Meaningful Buddha Shakyamuni Empowerment at KMC Florida
Gen Kelsang Lhadron arrived at KMC Florida on December 1 and shortly afterwards granted the blessing empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni. The empowerment was both meaningful and easy to relate to, helping everyone to connect Buddha’s teachings with everyday life.
Gen Lhadron encouraged us to use the blessings we received to connect with our own inner goodness and potential, often referred to as our Buddha nature.
Just as an artist can see a beautiful sculpture hidden within a block of stone, Buddha Shakyamuni sees the potential for wisdom and kindness within each of us.
KMC Brazil Concludes the Year with Retreat and Community Preparation
This week, KMC Brazil entered its holiday break and will resume activities at the end of December with its annual end-of-year retreat. As in previous years, the community prepared the Temple for this break, and this year the preparation was especially meaningful.
Residents gathered for a three-day Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering retreat, guided by IKRC Ganden Ling Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Loten. Between sessions, the community came together to clean, cook, and prepare KMC Brazil for its temporary closure.
It was a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the year 2025 together—a year in which the community worked tirelessly to keep the Temple ready to welcome everyone who came to KMC Brazil seeking greater peace. It was also a heartfelt way to express gratitude to our Founder and Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, for creating the conditions to follow this authentic and unmistaken spiritual path, through which countless living beings can benefit.
The retreat concluded on December 10 with Offering to the Spiritual Guide prayers and a deep sense of love and gratitude for the precious opportunity to be in such a blessed place.
A JOINT TAKING AND GIVING RETREAT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
KMC Vancouver and KMC Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, held a joint retreat from Thursday to Sunday last week titled The Healing Practice of Taking and Giving. It was a special opportunity to explore this profound practice deeply and gain heartfelt experience of it.
The sessions were guided by Gen Delek and Gen Sanden, based on The New Eight Steps to Happiness. Each evening, participants practiced taking and giving in conjunction with the Avalokiteshvara Sadhana.
The retreat took place at the beautiful Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island, a short ferry ride from Vancouver. Surrounded by mountains, trees, and clouds, it offered a peaceful break from city life, with a calm environment, delicious meals, and the warm company of Sangha friends.
We felt deeply grateful for the clear and practical teachings of our precious Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, on this powerful Kadampa practice that brings great benefit to ourselves and all living beings.
