General Spiritual Director
INTENSIVE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM 2027
Jun 8, 2026
Bonus Bulletin
6 March
Read about some other recent activities organized by Kadampa centers around the world.
A Close Retreat Concludes at IKRC Menorca
On a beautiful and blessed day at IKRC Menorca, the community brought their Heruka close retreat to a joyful and deeply meaningful completion — nearly two months of sincere, heartfelt practice concluded with a very special fire puja, filled with joy and a profound sense of gratitude.
IKRC Menorca is one of those wonderful places in the New Kadampa Tradition that Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has visited and blessed.
A Historic First: Vajrayogini Self-Initiation at KMC Montpellier
The Sangha of KMC Montpellier in France came together for a truly special and historic occasion — the first time the Vajrayogini self-initiation practice had ever been performed at this center.
It was a moment of deep meaning and shared happiness — a beautiful milestone in the life of this community, and a testament to the flourishing of Kadam Dharma in the south of France.
Sunshine, Sangha, and Purification: A Vajrayogini Fire Puja at KMC Florida
The Sangha of KMC Florida in Sarasota recently came together under sunny skies to mark the joyful conclusion of their Vajrayogini Counting Retreat with a deeply meaningful Fire Puja — a powerful purification ceremony and a truly special gathering for the community.
Five retreatants joined onsite, alongside several practitioners who had carried out their retreat at home, all uniting for this auspicious closing ceremony. The Fire Puja drew many first-time participants who travelled from across the United States — including New York, Wisconsin, California, and throughout Florida — drawn by the wish to create the causes for enlightenment together. In all, 30 people gathered in an atmosphere of warmth, joy, and shared aspiration.
What a beautiful testament to the power of Kadam Dharma to bring people together from every corner of the country, united by the same sincere wish for purification and freedom.
Special Events with Gen Kelsang Thekchen at KMC Quebec
The Sangha of KMC Québec welcomed Gen Kelsang Thekchen, Resident Teacher of KMC Ottawa, for two special events.
On Friday evening, practitioners explored how to connect with the energy of all enlightened beings through meditation on the breath with the mantra OM AH HUM, and cultivating love, compassion, joy and equanimity. On Saturday, the teachings turned to contentment — understanding how dissatisfaction stems from uncontrolled desire, and how we can discover true happiness from within.
Thank you, Geshe-la!
A Different Carnival at KMC Heruka
Whilst the city celebrated in its usual festive rhythm, the Sangha of KMC Heruka in São José dos Campos, Brazil, chose a different kind of celebration — a Carnival retreat guided by Kelsang Lodro, offering clear and practical Buddhist teachings to help practitioners develop inner clarity, equanimity, and peace. The dedication of volunteers throughout the retreat made the experience truly welcoming and memorable for all who attended.
An Away Retreat at Je Tsongkhapa KBC, Asheville
For the third consecutive year, the Sangha of Je Tsongkhapa Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Asheville, North Carolina, gathered for their annual weekend away retreat — Seeing Beyond Appearances — at the beautiful Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center in North Carolina.
Guided by Resident Teacher Kadam Sharon Lovich, practitioners enjoyed teachings and guided meditations exploring Buddha's profound emptiness teachings. What great good fortune to experience such a special weekend together in the heart of nature, going deeper into some of the most liberating insights the Dharma has to offer.
A bookstore talk and wonderful weekend in Athens
The emerging Kadampa community in Athens, Greece, recently had the great joy of welcoming Gen Kelsang Ananda, National Spiritual Director for Germany and Resident Teacher of Tharpaland KMC in Berlin, for a special bookshop talk and weekend course.
The evening talk, How to Understand Your Mind — Discover True Happiness, offered both newcomers and long-time practitioners practical methods for recognizing the nature and function of the mind — a warm and uplifting introduction to some of Venerable Geshe-la's most profound teachings. The following weekend course explored the five all-accompanying mental factors, drawing on the unique and accessible presentation found in How to Understand the Mind by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Practitioners were gently encouraged to identify these mental factors in their own experience and to bring this understanding into both formal meditation and daily life.
To conclude, the community came together for a heartfelt puja, creating a joyful and harmonious atmosphere and strengthening their shared intention to develop Kadam Dharma in Athens. The Sangha expresses its deep gratitude to Gen Kelsang Ananda for his kindness in visiting and for making these profound teachings so clear and accessible to all.
