Special Events
We share three special events from KMC Long Island, KMC Québec, and Tharpaland KMC, each offering a glimpse into the many ways people come together to practice, connect, learn, and share the benefits of Dharma.
Tharpaland Kadampa Meditation Center Open Day
Everyone is Welcome
Heritage Open Day at Schloss Sommerswalde
We had a wonderful Heritage Open Day. Many visitors took the opportunity to discover Schloss Sommerswalde and its history, while also getting an informal glimpse into Tharpaland Kadampa Meditation Center.
We were delighted by the great interest, the many lovely encounters, the wonderful atmosphere, and all the positive feedback.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along, asked questions, explored, and shared this special day and place with us — and, of course, to all the volunteers who helped make it possible!
The 25th Anniversary of Kadampa Meditation Center Long Island
A Special Weekend
KMC Long Island's 25th Anniversary & September 11 Commemoration Weekend
In Huntington, Long Island, our new center space was still under construction when the devastating events of September 11, 2001, occurred 40 miles away. Gen Togden, the Resident Teacher at the time, rallied the community members together to clear and clean the space enough so the center could be open to offer prayers and a place of refuge.
We decided to offer a whole weekend of taking and giving retreat, both to commemorate the events of 9/11 and to celebrate 25 years of Kadam Dharma in our area. The entire open house weekend of activities was free of charge. Many new people came in, including people just walking by on the street, as well as many long-time members.
In the first session of our taking and giving retreat at 8:30 am on 9/11, Resident Teacher Kadam Holly read Venerable Geshe-la's Prayer in Times of Tragedy, remembering receiving his powerful message on that day in New York City.
She spoke of how the experience of loss unites us all, which can inspire deep connection and compassion. Motivated by compassion, we then imagined taking on the attachment, anger and ignorance of all beings, and sending out love, wisdom and the happiness of enlightenment to all. Seven more retreat sessions followed, plus two other special offerings.
On Saturday night after the meditation, we had a pop-up World Peace Cafe evening, including delicious food, mocktails, lively conversation, and soft jazz music provided by members Edgar and Marc. Happy Anniversary was sung with great joy!
In our final retreat session on Sunday Kadam Holly shared Geshe-la's Prayer in Times of Tragedy once again. At the end of class, we watched a brief video message from Gen Togden, speaking about opening the center on 9/11 25 years ago. He spoke of our incredible good fortune in finding true refuge in Kadam Dharma and encouraged us to continue making effort to help Dharma flourish in our hearts, at our center and throughout Long Island.
This was followed by a wonderful vegan brunch prepared by one of our community members, and a viewing of the play The Life of Buddha. It was such a meaningful and special way to celebrate 25 years of Kadam Dharma in Long Island.
Kadampa Meditation Center Québec's away retreat to St-Antoine-de-Tilly
Weekend Away Retreat
Meditations on the Emptiness of the Body
During our biannual away retreat this fall at St-Antoine-de-Tilly, Kadam Marie-Claude, Resident Teacher of KMC Québec in Canada,(opens in new tab) skillfully guided us in meditation on the emptiness of the body. By repeating this meditation throughout the weekend, we were able to deepen not only our understanding of this profound topic, but also our own experience of putting it into practice.
The recitation of The Great Mother prayers before each session helped us to accumulate merit, purify obstacles, and receive inspiration from all the Buddhas—three essential conditions for successful meditation.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize this retreat, to everyone who participated, to Kadam Marie-Claude for her caring guidance, and to our most precious Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe-la, for his perfect instructions that lead us to permanent liberation from all suffering.
