Bonus Bulletin – 23 September
Sep 23, 2024
After many months of travel and other restrictions, the people of Australia were finally able to gather last weekend for an in-person National Dharma Celebration with their National Spiritual Director Gen kelsang Rabten.
Last weekend, Kadampas from all over Germany gathered at Tharpaland KMC and online for the 2022 German Dharma Celebration with Gen Ananda, the National Spiritual Director of NKT for Germany.
A Baby Bodhi tree planted at KMC Portugal In 2009, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche gave KMC Spain a Bodhi tree sapling, which was descended from the original tree in Bodh Gaya beneath which Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree was planted and is flourishing near the new Temple in KMC Spain. Later they gave a … Read more
A joyful Celebration in France Last weekend saw the annual French Dharma Celebration at which Gen Eupame, the National Spiritual Director of France, granted the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, and gave truly inspiring teachings on Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s book The Mirror of Dharma. The weekend was preceded by a community spring … Read more
Last weekend, Kadampas around the world celebrated Buddha’s Enlightenment Day with joyful gatherings and devoted practice. Nyungnay retreats to purify negative karma, teachings, empowerments and courses, vegetarian feasts, and activities for young people were just some of the ways practitioners marked the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni demonstrating the attainment of enlightenment.
At Manjushri KMC, the mother center of NKT, Buddha’s Enlightenment Day was celebrated this year with a nyungnay fasting retreat and an Offering to the Spiritual Guide puja. To the delight of everyone, a beautiful, warm spring day morphed into a magical full moon evening. Pure magic!
The Chile Dharma Celebration in Santiago this weekend was full of joy as practitioners from all over the country gathered to enjoy their National Spiritual Director, Gen Sangden, granting the empowerment giving and teachings on the Yoga of Buddha Maitreya.
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.
Just 30 minutes drive from the Spring Festival site is the ancient city of Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and gateway to the Costa del Sol. In this city steeped in history you will find ancient buildings, galleries, great shopping, every type of cafe and restaurant – and of course its own beach.
April 15 is Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, when we celebrate Buddha demonstrating how to attain enlightenment. Even though he had already attained enlightenment many lives previously, out of great compassion he emanated in our world to demonstrate how we too can follow this path.