Festival Diaries

It’s the final day of Festival but there is no sense of things slowing down, instead we have the grand finale we have all been looking forward to!  The opportunity to engage, as a world-wide Kadampa family, in the Long Protector practice, Melodious Drum Victorious in all Directions. 

A beautiful day of retreat guided by Gen Tonglam, with five sessions of meditation using Heart Jewel prayers drawing us closer and closer to Dorje Shugden.  The retreat gives us time to meditate on the teachings and bring everything we have learned together into our practice of Heart Jewel. Gen Tonglam takes us on an inner journey step by step through some of the essential teachings from the Festival, giving helpful encouragement and advice on how to practice.  

By now there is a strong feeling of harmony at the Festival amongst everyone attending, a pervasive feeling of peace and protection. Everyone is appreciating the teachings, which help us to understand how to improve our own practice and help others to find happiness.

It’s day three and everyone is enjoying the daily program of teachings, meditations and chanted prayers around which everything else is woven. This gives a strong meaningful focus to each day and creates a natural rhythm of quiet periods alternating with a friendly sociable buzz between sessions.