The students at KMC San Francisco had a fantastic time celebrating our 30th Anniversary this past weekend! It was so wonderful to be together as a community again and to receive the profound blessings of the Bodhisattva Vow from Gen-la Kelsang Jampa.
Last Saturday was ITP Day, when we celebrated the work of the International Temples Project, a worldwide charitable project that works to fulfill the wishes of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
The first World Peace Cafe (WPC) was opened in Ulverston 20 years ago by Manjushri KMC at the suggestion of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Since then many new WPCs have been opened around the world, and they are now a regular feature at Kadampa centers both in cities and in rural locations.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche says that Kadampa centers do not belong to any individuals but to all living beings. And legal and constitutional safeguards are in place to ensure this will always be the case. This means the centers are very precious. Venerable Geshe-la says that whenever we engage in an action to benefit our center we are in fact benefitting all living beings. Through such actions we accumulate vast merit, purify negativities and receive powerful blessings.
Just over a year ago, Daniel, a student at KMC New York, was requested to teach online to a group of people in Israel. Now he is living in Tel Aviv as the Teacher gathering many dedicated students.
In a sign that things are starting to return to normal, Kadampa centers around the world are organising special events to welcome members of the public to enjoy the center in informal settings such as ‘Food for thought’, ‘Sunday Out’ and ‘Open House’. These occasions give people an opportunity to see round the center, try some meditation and enjoy a specially prepared meal or a visit to the World Peace Café. Here we share some wonderful photos from four recent events at centers in Europe.
Today, Tara Day, as hundreds of Kadampas around the world engage in 24-hour Tara prayers, our thoughts naturally turn to the Fall Festival in two weeks time when Gen-la Dekyong will grant the blessing empowerment of Buddha Tara and teach a rare and precious practice in association with her.
The New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union is developing many Temples and Kadampa Meditation Centers internationally. There is a need for more skilled individuals to help with such projects, therefore the Kadampa Art Studio will be offering a six month Statue Production Training Course to develop a foundation of experience for Kadampas wishing to contribute to these auspicious projects.
After each International Festival, Kadampa centers around the world organise post-Festival retreats providing an opportunity to spend some time improving our understanding of the teachings and taking their meaning to heart.
General Spiritual Director
