News from the post Fall Festival retreats ~ Part 2
Nov 16, 2024
Kailash IRC in Switzerland and IKRC Grand Canyon in the United States hosted Dharma Celebrations featuring Buddha Manjushri empowerments. Both celebrations created a positive and inspiring environment for the participants, allowing space for like-minded people to connect and celebrate!
The eleventh Dharma Celebration at KMC Argentina gathered about 150 people from Argentina and Uruguay, celebrating Kadam Dharma with Medicine Buddha empowerment and teachings from Gen Kelsang Rinchung. The Southern Dharma Celebration took place in the US at KMC Georgia in Atlanta. Kadam Morten granted White Tara empowerment to participants from the Southern states of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.
In late March, two retreats were held – one at Madhyamaka KMC near York in the UK and the other at Tharpaland KMC in Germany. Both included teachings and meditations on cultivating love and compassion. Such retreats are a great way for people to relax and reconnect with their good heart, giving them an opportunity to improve their relationships in a lasting way.
At the end of March, KMC New York City welcomed over 150 participants for their special event, the Refuge Vow Ceremony. On the same weekend, Kadam Dharma was taught for the first time in Punta del Este; the event was organized by the recently opened KBC Mahamudra in Uruguay.
Two National Festivals are taking place in April. These special events are a cherished opportunity to break from our daily problems and recharge spiritually, as well as creating causes for Dharma to grow in our countries. KMC Deuachen, in Sintra, is hosting the Portuguese National Festival on 19 – 21 April, while KMC Mexico is hosting the Mexican National Festival on 19 – 21 April 2024.
The first Saturday of April each year is NKT Day, when we celebrate the founding of the NKT by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche in 1991. With the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union, Venerable Geshe-la has created a global community of Dharma centers that are united by a common goal, practice the same path and follow the same internal guidance. This tradition is Venerable Geshe-la’s heart.
A magical Canadian Festival! More than 300 people from all over Canada attended our national gathering and had the immense good fortune to receive Wisdom Buddha Je Tsongkhapa empowerment from Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition.
Read about some other recent activities organized by Kadampa Centers around the world. KMC Phoenix | KMC Brazil | Tushita KMC | KMC Ottawa | KMC Cordoba
For Buddhists, faith in Buddha Shakyamuni is their spiritual life. On this special occasion, more than 500 people gathered from all corners of Spain, of which more than 400 attended in person for the empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni with Gen-la Kelsang Kunsang, the National Spiritual Director of Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and South Africa, held in the 6th Temple for World Peace.
This month, the Chilean Dharma Celebration brought the sangha together for meditation, teachings, and the Medicine Buddha empowerment led by Gen Chokyong for over 100 participants.