General Spiritual Director
Ordination Day – Spring Festival 2026
May 20, 2026
Infinite life:
Amitayus retreats around the world
Part I
During February, many Kadampa centers organize pujas, retreats, teachings and empowerments of Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, wisdom and merit. KMC France, KMC Alicante in Spain, KMC Colombia, and KMC Cuernavaca & Bodhisattva KBC in Mexico have already engaged in this wonderful retreat.
KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTeR FRANCE
Last weekend, we enjoyed another wonderful time of retreat, teaching, practice, and sharing at Kadampa Meditation Center France.
The Buddha Amitayus retreat was especially impactful, offering deep periods of meditation to connect with the Buddha of long life, merit, and wisdom. Through sincere prayer—like a mother’s heartfelt wish for her dearest child—we prayed for all living beings in need: those whose lives are in danger, those who have recently passed away, and those who suffer in countless ways. It was a deeply spiritual and timeless experience that allowed us to feel profoundly the kindness of our Spiritual Guide in sharing such remarkably simple yet powerful methods that help us progress swiftly on the path to enlightenment.
We rejoice in the blessings of this beautiful weekend and offer our heartfelt thanks to our precious Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, for giving us these precious practices and for his limitless compassion for all beings.
KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTeR CUERNAVACA IN MEXICO
This past weekend, practitioners at KMC Cuernavaca joyfully set aside time to meditate and reconnect with the great value of our human life. Through The Yoga Buddha Amitayus, we strengthened our life force, accumulated merit, and cultivated a clear, stable and joyful mind.
These blessed retreat sessions gave everyone the opportunity to reflect deeply on the preciousness of our life, and renew our intention and heartfelt commitment to bring Dharma into our everyday life.
KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTeR ALICANTE IN SPAIN
At Kadampa Meditation Center Alicante, we joyfully held a special Amitayusretreat focused on cultivating long life, wisdom, and good fortune through the powerful practice of Buddha Amitayus.
KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTeR COLOMBIA
At KMC Colombia we began the year with a cherished Kadampa tradition: a two-day retreat on Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, wisdom, and good fortune.
Participants of all levels engaged wholeheartedly in the practice of The Yoga of Buddha Amitayus through three guided sessions each day, led with compassion and clarity by Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Atisha. By focusing on this single powerful practice in a calm and supportive environment, practitioners deepened their understanding of how Buddha Amitayus’s blessings help overcome the two main obstacles of death and ignorance. In this practice we accumulate merit, or good fortune, and cultivate the inner qualities that support a long, meaningful life and spiritual growth for oneself and others.
The retreat was a beautiful expression of the sincere effort of a harmonious community devoted to the practice of Dharma. Participants rejoiced in the opportunity to reflect on their precious human life, to strengthen their spiritual intentions, and to begin the year with clarity, joy and renewed determination on the path.
bodhisattva KADAMPA BUDDHIST CENTeR IN TOLUCA, MEXICO
In February, practitioners at Bodhisattva Kadampa Buddhist Center came together for a heartfelt Yoga of Buddha Amitayus retreat. During this blessed retreat, participants received a clear and inspiring introduction from their Resident Teacher on the profound meaning and benefits of this practice, which helps increase merit, wisdom, and long life.
The retreat concluded with the offering of long-life pills, which was greatly appreciated by all.
