A Special New Life
Ordination Day - Spring Festival 2026
Today many hundreds of monks and nuns gathered in the Temple at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre for the Spring Festival Ordination Ceremony with Gen-la Jampa, with nine new ordained Sangha appearing.
It is always a unique occasion when the international community of ordained Sangha comes together to witness new ordainees receive ordination vows, hear special teachings on ordination and retake their own vows.
Drawing on a precious explanation given by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Gen-la Jampa shared essential advice on how ordained people can strive to become qualified Sangha — maintaining the practice of the Three Higher Trainings, working to liberate themselves and others from the problems caused by delusions, and becoming true objects of refuge for others.
Nine people received ordination, from many countries including France, Canada, Spain, Germany, Argentina and the UK. This reflects the international nature of our Kadampa Sangha.
Gen-la explained how new ordainees change their basis of imputation to that of an ordained person, by changing their appearance, their name and principally changing their mind through developing deep renunciation. This mind of non-attachment is symbolized by cutting the hair, after which they receive permission to wear the robes and then are given their blessed new name from Venerable Geshe-la.
After the ceremony, the Temple was filled with happiness as people gathered to congratulate the newly ordained, discover their new names and celebrate together. Group photos were taken and a joyful atmosphere pervaded the Temple.
It is a special object of rejoicing to reflect on the kindness and dedication of all our ordained Sangha. We especially wish the nine newly ordained great joy and steadfastness in maintaining their ordination vows and spiritual life.
"To the Sanghas who are maintaining the practice of the Three Higher Trainings liberating one self and others from samsara's problems and being objects of accumulating merit, I prostrate."
