Encouragement from the Spiritual Guide
Dec 25, 2024
At the beginning of this year, many people had the opportunity to strengthen their connection to Buddha Amitayus through chanted prayers, meditation, and mantra recitation during the Amitayus retreats worldwide. This post shows the retreats held at Manjushri KMC, KMC Karlsruhe, Nagarjuna KMC Thornby Hall, KMC Monterrey, KMC Uma, and KBC Tushita.
Joyful and blessed events took place recently in South America. An inauguration of the new Kadampa Center in Uruguay and a purification retreat in Argentina brought together the local community to celebrate and enjoy meditation.
In early February, Gen Eupame, the National Spiritual Director of France, visited KMC Lille for two events. Well attended and joyful, they brought the community and newcomers together. Participants learned how to build happiness through understanding karma and finding the authentic power of inner confidence.
Eighteen fortunate modern Kadampa disciples concluded the Vajrayogini Close Retreat 2024 at KMC Madrid-La Sierra, led by Gen Tsongmo. We completed the recitation of 100,000 mantras of this enlightened Deity and 10,000 wisdom descending mantras. We celebrated the end of the Vajrayogini Close Retreat and performed a fire puja as a special purification practice.
An amazing weekend on the Isle of Cumbrae for the annual Scottish Dharma Celebration. Kadam Bridget gave hope-filled, inspiring teachings and granted a very blessed empowerment. Gen Tubchen guided the peaceful morning meditations and Gen Norden gave the introduction. On Saturday afternoon many people got out for a wild and windy walk along the stunning coastline.
Kadampa Meditation Centers in US, France and Mexico celebrated significant spiritual events and teachings. KMC Colorado celebrate its first empowerment in its new Denver property. KMC Montpellier concluded January with sessions on the Six Perfections and Bodhisattva Vows. KMC Monterrey retreat, ‘Meditations for Busy People,’ inspired attendees towards deeper Dharma study. KMC Metz hosted a weekend on The Wheel of Life, attracting participants from across the Grand Est region.
Throughout the Kadampa world learning the essential lineage of Buddhist sacred art and ritual skills continues, with new generations of practitioners taking their first steps in learning to paint Buddha images or craft traditional Buddhist tormas.
As January ended, students of KMC Deuachen were rejoicing in the completion of their close retreat of Guru Sumati Buddha Heruka. Meanwhile over 10,000km away, students of KMC Chile were very happy to be starting their close retreat!
The International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon is part way through its 2024 Mountain Retreat. Over 80 retreaters participated in the first three weeks led by KMC-NYC Resident Teacher Kadam Morten Clausen.