Gen-la helped us understand the real meaning of the Refuge Ceremony by giving the transmission of an explanation by Venerable Geshe-la. Just being at festival we are inside refuge. Listening to teachings, meditating and placing ourself inside our Guru’s vision for flourishing Kadam Dharma. It was so inspiring to be part of a worldwide sangha dedicated to ending suffering and bringing about world peace.

Today after an explanation of how our Spiritual Guide is in essence deathless and his mind always with us, we received an unexpected surprise of hearing Venerable Geshe-la’s voice resound in the temple giving us the blessing transmission of Liberating Prayer.

Gen-la’s teachings on Saturday began a sublime commentary to Liberating Prayer, one of our uncommon Kadampa prayers appearing from the heart of our Root Guru. She explained how there are many levels to this prayer.

The temple is full of joyful chatter, then the quiet lull that comes before Gen-la Dekyong enters and the prayers begin, bringing us all together. At the front of the temple is a special shrine with a powerful, meditative Buddha Shakyamuni presiding over the festival.

There is a mixture of joy and excitement in the air as Kadampa’s start arriving at the festival site from every corner of the world. The sun is shining and everywhere you look there is kindness in action as the final touches to the festival are put in place and volunteers take up their stations to make the magic of festival happen.