General

It was an extraordinary sight in the Temple early this morning, with thousands of people engaging in Quick Path to Great Bliss prayers. The melodious sound of thousands of voices singing together with faith pervaded the Priory and grounds! From then on the day kept getting better, with Gen-la Dekyong illuminating the instructions of Vajrayogini … Read more

This morning as we entered the Temple to receive the Empowerment, eyes were drawn to the Vajrayogini Empowerment shrine where the offerings looked exquisite; an abundance of redcurrants, plump cherries, delicate petit fours and dark red flowers were laid out on satin cloth and gold lace. Gen-la Dekyong began the ceremony by explaining that Buddha … Read more

Assembly of Good Fortune 3500 people from all over the world gathered together in the World Peace Temple, the largest gathering since Venerable Geshe-la last taught here in 2009. As General Spiritual Director, Gen-la Dekyong said it was truly an assembly of good fortune as together we received the rare and precious Empowerment of Heruka … Read more

The Lake District showed off today with the most glorious sunny warm weather. On this postcard perfect day, Buddhists from all over the world relaxed and recharged and thousands more began to arrive for the second week of the Summer Festival. Many wandered out into the beautiful Cumbrian countryside with packed lunches whilst others descended … Read more

Retreat day 1. It’s an amazing sight. More than 1500 people gather together in the temple meditating on Kadam lamrim. Where else does this happen in the world? It’s an amazing experience. The air of concentration pervades the temple. The silence during the sessions is breathtaking. Gen Rabten leads the retreat with great clarity. He … Read more

Retreat day 1. It’s an amazing sight. More than 1500 people gather together in the temple meditating on Kadam lamrim. Where else does this happen in the world? It’s an amazing experience. The air of concentration pervades the temple. The silence during the sessions is breathtaking. Gen Rabten leads the retreat with great clarity. He … Read more

Kadam Bridget sets the tone for the day with a heart enriching meditation on relying on the Spiritual Guide. Gen-la Kunsang is full of encouragement on this final day of teaching. Describing a new Tharpa Publications card depicting the principal Kadam Lamrim Lineage Gurus, such as Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, she recommends we contemplate it … Read more

As Gen-la Kunsang reminds us today, death can come at anytime …and in the Lake District so can the rain! Festival goers get out their raincoats, umbrellas and rubber boats, and scarves and hats come out to ward off the cold. But the smiles on everyone’s face are as warm as ever, and the Festival … Read more

The perfect start to the day: a simple meditation on the breath, guided by Kadam Bridget, that allows us all to settle deeply into a peaceful experience at our heart. After all the travelling and sorting out accommodations etc it is just the ticket. It is a beautiful clear, sunny day here in the Lake … Read more

Arriving for the Festival is always an amazing experience. If it’s your first visit, you are stunned by the grandeur and sheer size of Conishead Priory, home of Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, and the beauty of the temple and the grounds. If you are festival veteran, it’s a fiesta of greetings, as you reconnect with … Read more