One of the many beautiful things about international Festivals is that everywhere you look you see faith and devotion in action. People make offerings, meditate, read and discuss Dharma between sessions as well as working with joy and enthusiasm to enable the Festival to run.
Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Deity, a Wisdom Dharma Protector. Venerable Geshe-la teaches us that Dorje Shugden is our Kadampa Buddhist Dharma Protector for modern times, and he is the synthesis of our Guru, Je Tsongkhapa; our Yidam or personal Tantric Deity, Heruka; and our Dharma Protector.
International Kadampa Fall Festivals are held at different venues each year; this year we are returning to the International Kadampa Retreat Center near the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For the first time since it opened in 2019 there is a huge international gathering taking place and now, after months of preparations, it is the first day of the Festival.
The conclusion of the 2025 Summer Festival offers us an opportunity to reflect on this truly inspiring event.
A chance to revisit the engaging videos created during the Summer Festival. Enjoy!
Summer Festival 2025 has been very powerful and special. Now, as we near its completion, it is ending so strongly. Following the collective effort of attending the six sessions of the Tara retreat, on the final morning everyone is happy and grateful to gather again in the Temple to make a beautiful thanking offering to our precious Spiritual Guide and Founder, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Although our Festival is nearing completion, due to the 24 hour Tara practice we are literally meditating and dedicating throughout the day and the night.
The day began with several sessions of retreat on Advice from Atisha’s Heart with Gen Rabten. We continued to enjoy the opportunity to take the meaning of the advice deeper into our hearts. It is incredible how happy developing and strengthening pure intentions makes us.
This calm period of retreat lends itself to quiet moments in the Temple, peaceful walks under the green canopy of the trees in the woodland areas, or enjoying the vast spacious views of Morecambe Bay at the beach. Although many people continue to work joyfully together to run the Festival, there is stillness in the midst of busyness. Such is the magic of retreat!
Alongside receiving teachings and deeping our understanding and practice of Dharma, Kadampa festivals allow us to have many auspicious meetings and some truly unique opportunities.
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The Chilean Sangha came together at KMC Chile for a special Dharma Festival with Gen-la Kelsang Sangden. Through the blessing empowerment of Buddha Maitreya and inspiring teachings, everyone had a wonderful opportunity to deepen their practice and strengthen their spiritual community.
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