Finding Healing, Peace, and Connection
The Kadampa community continues to come together in joyful and meaningful ways, finding inspiration, inner peace, and strength through meditation and spiritual practice. From receiving the special blessings of Medicine Buddha in Mexico to enjoying a peaceful retreat in the Mid-Atlantic region, these special gatherings offer inspiration, practical tools for daily life, and the joy of practicing together.
Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center
Special Event
Receiving the Healing Blessings of Medicine Buddha
The community of Drolma KBC(opens in new tab) in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, had the precious opportunity to receive the special empowerment blessings of Medicine Buddha.
It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how to help ourselves and others overcome both external and internal difficulties.
During the event, Resident Teacher Omar Montero shared teachings from Venerable Geshe-la explaining how, through the continuous practice of Medicine Buddha Sadhana, practitioners can receive special power in their body, speech, and mind. Through the practice of Medicine Buddha Prayer, they can also benefit others by helping them heal from external and internal sicknesses.
What a fortunate opportunity for everyone who took part!
Five Kadampa Centers gather for a Regional Away Retreat in the Country
The Calm Within
Meditations on the Clarity of the Mind
Our regional away retreat, The Calm Within, brought together fifty-four people from five Mid-Atlantic Kadampa Centers – Kalpa Bhadra KBC(opens in new tab), KMC Philadelphia(opens in new tab), KMC Maryland(opens in new tab), KMC Washington DC(opens in new tab), and Dharmapala KBC(opens in new tab) – for a peaceful weekend in the country focused on meditations on the clarity of the mind. The group included both beginners and experienced practitioners, all enjoying the opportunity to step away from their usual routines and experience the physical and mental benefits of retreat.
Each of the five Mid-Atlantic Resident Teachers guided meditations and gave teachings that helped participants access the natural stillness and spaciousness of their own mind, drawing from the first stage of Buddha’s profound Mahamudra teachings. Not only did they gain meditative experience of their mind, but they also came away with practical methods to apply in their daily lives to stay heart-centered, calm the mind, and reduce stress.
The mornings were held in silence, and during some of the longer breaks between sessions, participants went hiking and gathered around a campfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. These informal activities gave everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better and build meaningful Sangha friendships.
