News from the post Fall Festival retreats ~ Part 2
Nov 16, 2024
Fortunate Kadampas gathered in Vancouver this weekend for the Western Canada Dharma Celebration. Gen Kelsang Rigpa, the NKT Western US National Spiritual Director granted the blessing empowerment of Buddha Maitreya and gave powerful teachings on the three aspects of love.
Last weekend the Scottish Dharma Celebration returned to Stirling, as Sangha from far and wide gathered to receive the empowerment of Buddha Vajrasattva and teachings on purification and karma with UK Spiritual Director Kadam Bridget Heyes.
Traditionally in February Kadampa centers around the world engage in short retreats of Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, wisdom and merit.
With January already their busiest time of the year, they needed to be crafty about how they could cater to lots of newcomers while simultaneously creating retreat conditions for those wanting to engage in the Guru Sumati Buddha Heruka close retreat.
While most centers have completed their winter retreats some retreats continue at the International retreat centers and elsewhere.
At IKRC Grand Canyon they are now entering the fifth week of the Mountain Retreat focusing on tranquil abiding.
Kadampa Meditation Center Vancouver hosted a public talk last night called Finding Peace: Meditation, Inner Health & Happiness. Gen Rigpa led a packed house to think about our inner health as much as we normally think about our physical health.
Last night Kadam Bridget Heyes, the UK National Spiritual Director gave a special public talk at Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh.
“A sell out crowd deeply enjoyed the guided meditations, inspirational advice and social time afterwards.”
An invitation was send out to all the people of the lake district and surrounding area to visit the home of Venerable Geshe-la and experience the peace emanating from the holy teachings of Buddha that he presented here for over 40 years.
Over 330 People attended this public talk guided meditations given by Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong in the Kadampa Temple for World Peace.
We have concluded Part 1 of our Snow Mountain Retreat 2023 with retreaters completing their Close Retreat of collecting 100,000 Guru Sumati Buddha Heruka mantras and finishing with Vajradaka Burning Offering sessions, sitting outside in -10°C temperatures!
By any standards January was an exceptional month for NKT In the mother center Manjushri KMC. The Temple was full throughout with people joining Gen-la Dekyong for a blissful counting retreat on the mantra of Guru Sumati Buddha Heruka and subsequent Vajradaka fire puja. The story was repeated at Kadampa centers throughout the world.