General Spiritual Director
Special winter courses to explore meaningful meditations
Dec 23, 2024
Over the last few weeks of this year, participants in France, Switzerland and Ottawa have had the opportunity to explore meaningful objects such as karma and emptiness in various winter courses.
A few days before the end of the year the Asian Sangha gathered for the Asian Festival 2024, and and KMC Wales hosted the Welsh Dharma Celebration 2024.
At the beginning of December, Kadampa communities in the UK and the US hosted blessing empowerments of Je Tsongkhapa, Medicine Buddha, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara. With thoughtful preparation, these special ceremonies welcomed participants to receive blessings and deepen their spiritual connection with Buddha through meditation and meaningful teachings.
KMC Madrid recently hosted two inspiring events. Nearly 100 people attended a public talk on ‘How to Be Happy’, led by Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Tsongmo. Following this, participants enjoyed some stillness during a ‘Silence and Concentration’ retreat, that focussed on compassion in the tranquil setting of KMC Madrid La Sierra.
Part 2 of our festive season celebrations takes us to Kadampa centers in Mexico, the UK, the US, and France. Communities gathered to express gratitude for the past year and welcome the new one with a variety of different events. In Mexico, there were prayers and meals, while the UK enjoyed quiz games and festive fun. In the US, one center celebrated with caroling and a meal, and in France, meditation and a shared meal created a joyful atmosphere, highlighting the unity and joy of the Kadampa family.
Empowerments brought people together, showing how spiritual practice fosters meaningful connections and reminds us that we share a common goal, no matter where we are.
In early December, two meditation retreats took place in the mountains of Mexico and Switzerland. KMC Monterrey’s community contemplated teachings on emptiness during their annual Heart of Wisdom retreat, while Sangha from Italy and Switzerland drew closer to the meaning of Je Tsongkhapa’s Three Principal Aspects of the Path.
At this time of year, many Kadampa centers around the world come together to celebrate the end of year and enjoy time with their communities. Here is a glimpse of the festive season at Manjushri KMC, KMC Chile, KMC Munich in Germany and Nagarjuna KMC in the UK.
Kadampa centers have hosted inspiring events worldwide, including a transformative retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a “Closing Cycles” event in Mexico and in Paris, Gen Dechen from KMC Lille led a joyful meditation day. These events all reflect the global Kadampa community’s dedication to spiritual growth and connection.
On the December holiday weekend, people from all over Spain gathered at KMC Spain for the National Dharma Celebration 2024 at the Kadampa Temple for World Peace in Malaga. Over 500 students (in person and online) received the blessing empowerment of Buddha Manjushri from National Spiritual Director, Gen Kelsang Chokga.
