A Glimpse into the Future: Visiting the New Kadampa Center in Granada
Following the Fall Festival, visitors gathered in Granada to explore the historic convent that is being transformed into a new Kadampa Dharma Center and hear Gen-la Dekyong share the inspiring vision behind this special place.
Where a Vision Becomes Reality
A Vision Unfolding in Granada
A day after the Festival finishes, there is a special opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Granada, where Venerable Geshe-la lived for so many years, and to receive a tour of the special building development that is taking place there in his honor. Although still a working building site, everything is carefully arranged for 250 people to visit.
Kelsang Ringyal greets everyone squeezed into the main chapel and gives an overview of the project and what will happen on the tour. All the talks are given in English with Spanish translation, except for the architect Luis Martin, who speaks in Spanish with English translation.
Gen-la Dekyong then gives an inspiring talk on how this incredible building, an ancient convent with over 500 years of history, is swiftly transforming into a Kadampa Center and is Geshe-la's gift to the people of Granada and the world. It is dedicated to others, giving them the gift of a peaceful environment, the gift of a spiritual community, the gift of learning to meditate, and ultimately the gift of inner peace, happiness, and wisdom.
A Heart Center Dedicated to Others
A Special Place of Pilgrimage
For Kadampas, it will be, in Gen-la's words, a heart center, a special place of pilgrimage where we can visit Venerable Geshe-la's room, with everything placed exactly as it was for 20 years. Later in the tour, we hear more from his assistant Gen Dewang about how he mainly emphasized writing and meditating and how his shrine and some examples of the careful editing he made to his books will be available to view.
A Labor of Love and Dedication
Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
We also hear from the architect Luis Martin about the project and how happy he is to be working with, in his words, the Kadampa family and with Gia Consulting, the construction company. This is their second project for the NKT, having already collaborated on the creation of the Kadampa Temple for World Peace in Malaga. He explains the philosophy behind restoring Convento de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, how they are carefully removing later additions to reveal the history of the building and to convert it very sensitively and beautifully into a Kadampa Center. As previously the convent was cloistered, this has meant that this architecturally important building has never been open to the public before. So this is an important project also for the city of Granada and is revealing significant archaeological finds about the history of the site, going back over 700 years to when it was a pottery workshop.
A New Chapter for a Historic Convent
Guided Tours
On the tour itself, we break into smaller groups and move around different stations within the building. At each station, there is someone to give a talk, to show various features, to reveal what has been found or restored, and to explain the plans and photographs of how it will look when finished. We see a finished bedroom, complete with handmade furniture and newly installed windows that look out over the garden and city. It is easy to imagine coming here for a retreat or course when it is finished.
Many tranquil spaces being created
Venerable Geshe-la's Room
There are so many tranquil spaces being created. Inner courtyards with trees, mosaic floors, and fountains, balconies, terraces, gardens, and benches with expansive views. In the heart of it all is Venerable Geshe-la's room. A small interior room, reminding us that from his humility and dedication come all the developments of the New Kadampa Tradition. This inspires us to follow his example and to keep him always in our hearts.
Care in Every Detail
Sharing the Joy of a Special Project
Not only is the organization incredible, as various tours crisscross each other at regular intervals, but the way it is organized is so kind. We feel included in the developments; we meet the key people involved; we share in the discoveries and the vision of the project. The architect and team of builders also have the opportunity to meet many delighted and grateful Kadampa practitioners. After several hours, we all come together in the garden for refreshments, and there is an air of tremendous rejoicing. It is hard to imagine a more perfect project. Everything is being done with such care and detail.
A Gift for the World
Thank you Venerable Geshe-la
Thank you to the NKT managers for organizing the tour and the project, to the Kadampa builders and carpenters working with such dedication to restore various aspects of the building, and to the architect and construction team. Most of all, thank you, Venerable Geshe-la, for this gift to the world.
