Yesterday, Gen-la Jampa began four teachings on Kadam Lamrim based on the famous text Advice from Atisha’s Heart. Atisha is the original author of Kadam Lamrim. He was very close to Tara and she promised him that in the future she would take special care of his followers. For Kadampas, therefore, this is a special opportunity to receive core teachings that are the very backbone of our tradition.

Yesterday, following the sublime empowerment on Saturday, Gen-la explained how to rely on Arya Tara in practice with a deeply inspiring commentary to the sadhana, Liberation from Sorrow – truly a wishfulfilling practice.

Yesterday Gen-la Jampa took us to meet Buddha Tara in her Pure Land!

Through the inconceivable kindness of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, today we have the great good fortune to begin the second week of the 2020 Summer Festival. The day begins with two meditations guided by Gen Rabten at Manjushri KMC. Then this afternoon, at 16.00 UK time, we will receive the empowerment of Buddha Green Tara from Gen-la Kelsang Jampa at IKRC Grand Canyon in Arizona. How wonderful!

Today, this amazing week comes to an end and tomorrow the teachings move to IKRC Grand Canyon in the United States where Gen-la Kelsang Jampa the Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition will grant the empowerment of Buddha Tara and teachings on Advice from Atisha’s Heart.

During the last few days of teaching we enjoyed five powerful sessions of meditation with Gen Rabten. Yesterday, to conclude the first week of the Festival, we began three days of retreat with Gen Losang to take the teachings to heart and mix our mind with the sublime practice of the Yoga of Buddha Amitayus.

Gen-la Dekyong gave a powerful explanation of identifying and overcoming the self-cherishing mind. Our self-cherishing abides at our heart. It is the mind that thinks, ‘I am important’ while neglecting others. In truth,  this mind is ignorance and an object of ridicule.

Today, more nectar-like teachings from The New Eight Steps to Happiness from Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong. As today’s feature video shows, these precious books are the link between our heart and the venerable Guru’s heart.

What is the real meaning of our human life? It is to realise our very subtle mind. Then we will become a Buddha in this one life. Whether modern technology helps or harms depends on whether we have a good heart or not, but Tantric technology fulfils our deepest wishes.

Our main obstacles to enlightenment are ignorance and death. These can be overcome by practicing the instructions of Buddha Amitayus, which are now reaching every country and every nationality — something that has never happened before!