General Spiritual Director
Bonus Bulletin 8 July
Jul 8, 2026
Finding Peace in Away Retreats
When they have the opportunity, Kadampa centers organize group retreats to allow their students the chance to enjoy more in-depth meditation.
Peaceful Mind Retreat in Santiago, Nuevo León ~ KMC Monterrey
Recently, Kadampa Meditation Center Monterrey held a special retreat entitled Clear Mind, Peaceful Mind in the beautiful “Pueblo Mágico” of Santiago, Nuevo León.
This was the first time the center organized a retreat in this location, welcoming participants from both the local community and the city of Monterrey.
Over the course of one day, more than 35 people enjoyed four guided meditation sessions focused on developing clarity of mind, led by Resident Teacher Kelsang Damcho. The retreat created a peaceful and meaningful environment in which participants could deepen their inner experience and enjoy a sense of calm and connection.
This special event also provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce and support the new branch recently opened in Santiago, helping Kadam Dharma to grow and benefit more people in the region.
A BLESSED SILENT RETREAT in QUÉBEC, Canada
Twenty-three members of the Québec Sangha, including several attending for the first time, traveled to St-Antoine-de-Tilly, on the outskirts of Québec City, for a two-day silent retreat in a peaceful and inspiring natural setting.
Over the course of the weekend, participants learned simple yet profound methods to help make their world a better place through the practice of Taking and Giving.
The retreat was guided by Kadam Marie-Claude Martel, Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Quebec, who skillfully led contemplations and meditations on this powerful practice. Through clear and practical examples, she helped participants understand how to create the causes for all living beings to experience pure happiness and be free from suffering.
This retreat was a deeply meaningful and harmonious experience for all who attended. With sincere gratitude, participants thanked Kadam Marie-Claude, all those who helped organize the retreat, and especially Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, whose extraordinary kindness makes such precious opportunities possible.
NKT Day Weekend Retreat in Paris, Ontario: United in Compassion
Over the NKT Day weekend in Paris, Ontario, a countryside retreat brought together Sangha from three centres: Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Avalokiteshvara Kadampa Buddhist Centre, and Samudra Kadampa Buddhist Centre. Dedicated practitioners gathered to listen, contemplate, and meditate on the profound healing power of compassion.
The retreat was lovingly guided by Gen Kelsang Chodor, Gen Kelsang Kunden, and Gen Kelsang Rabgye. Together, they guided participants towards developing love and bodhichitta with a pure motivation to benefit all living beings.
Interactive discussions helped everyone clarify meaning and dispel doubts, while a spirit of cherishing others ensured that every aspect of the retreat ran smoothly through joyful and harmonious volunteering.
As participants reflected together, they shared the spirit of unity expressed in the aspiration: “We work together with one mind, one direction, one path, and one dedication.”
The Power and Promise of Heart Jewel Retreat in Serra da Bocaina, Brazil
Heruka Kadampa Meditation Center held a truly special event in Serra da Bocaina, Brazil, with the theme The Power and Promise of Heart Jewel, set in an environment of natural beauty, mild climate and ideal conditions for retreat.
In session after session of Heart Jewel practice, participants were able to draw closer to the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa, opening their hearts to receiving his blessings. Through meditation and prayers, faith was gradually cultivated in a clearer, more stable and meaningful way.
By relying upon Je Tsongkhapa as our Guru and Dorje Shugden as our Dharma Protector, the practice revealed its power: to remove obstacles, gather favorable conditions and sustain progress along the spiritual path.
It was a weekend of living connection with the lineage in which faith was nourished, practice deepened, and the path became more present within our hearts.
