General Spiritual Director
Day 8 ~ Heruka Preparations
Aug 1, 2026
Under the Care of Buddha: Empowerments Across Continents
At the end of January, Kadampa centers in Cologne, Edinburgh and Jacksonville hosted inspiring events focused on the blessings of Buddha. Through empowerment, teachings, and retreat sessions, practitioners deepened their connection with Buddha’s compassion and wisdom.
KMC COLOGNE
At the end of January, a special course entitled Liberation from Sorrow took place at Kadampa Meditation Centre in Cologne, during which Gen Gyudzhin granted the Arya Tara empowerment and gave explanations from Venerable Geshe-la on the practice of Buddha Tara. On Sunday, we practised the sadhana Liberation from Sorrow in two retreat sessions.
We can rejoice in this practice and remember the kindness of Venerable Geshe-la. We can understand that we can solve our daily problems and fulfil our compassionate spiritual wishes only by developing omniscient wisdom. Venerable Geshe-la shows us how we can develop this wisdom by establishing a direct connection with Buddha Tara and learning to rely on her. How wonderful!
Many thanks to Venerable Geshe-la for bringing together all the conditions to hold this special weekend at KMC Cologne, to Gen Gyudzhin for his loving guidance through the weekend, and to all the participants from near and far who took advantage of this precious opportunity to receive an Arya Tara empowerment.
A very blessed weekend with Avalokiteshvara
Last weekend, at KMC Edinburgh we enjoyed a wonderful empowerment ceremony of four-armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, granted by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Tubchen.
Nearly 50 people gathered for the ceremony on Saturday—a mixture of the long-standing local community, members of the wider Scottish Kadampa Sangha, and some people attending their very first empowerment. A very beautiful shrine table had been prepared by all the students of the Center’s Foundation Program for the ceremony, with each person choosing an offering and decorating it in the lead-up to the day. It was a powerful and radiant offering to Avalokiteshvara.
Gen Tubchen granted the empowerment and gave teachings on the Avalokiteshvara prayer booklet on Saturday. On Sunday, around 30 people returned to engage in a day of retreat. We all left with open hearts and blessed minds, hoping to take our experiences into our daily lives by looking at the world with the eyes of real compassion.
Thank you to Venerable Geshe-la for his continued blessings and inspiration, and to our wonderful Resident Teacher for so generously sharing his teachings. Thank you as well to everyone who made the weekend possible through volunteering in so many different ways.
A Precious Gathering under the Care of Green Tara
On January 24, the Maitreya Kadampa Buddhist Center in Jacksonville, FL, held the Blessing Empowerment of Green Tara. The meditation room was full of life, bringing together practitioners from the Jacksonville area and dear friends from Orlando Sangha. This event gathered students taking their first empowerment and sincere devotees who have relied on Tara's swift protection for many years.
Kadam Carol Lutker guided the Empowerment with gentleness, helping each person connect personally with the enlightened energy of the "Mother of all the Buddhas."
This special day was made possible by the efforts of volunteers who cherished the center and every guest who walked through the door. Their kindness created a space where everyone felt at home. Peace was visible on every face, a meaningful contribution toward the peaceful world we all wish to see.
