Empowerments in the UK and the US
Dec 21, 2024
Modern Kadampa Buddhism
New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union
Founder:
The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher. He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. Today, the legacy of his life's work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.
"The day will come when you will do my job."
VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche devoted his entire life to making the pure teachings of Buddha available in a modern form to people throughout the world.
Now Venerable Geshe-la's followers holding him at their hearts continue his work with auspicious projects in every region of the world.
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.
There are two types of meditation: analytical meditation and placement meditation. Analytical meditation involves contemplating the meaning of a spiritual instruction that we have heard or read. By contemplating such instructions deeply, eventually we reach a definite conclusion or cause a specific virtuous state of mind to arise. This is the object of placement meditation. We then concentrate single-pointedly on this conclusion or virtuous state of mind for as long as possible to become deeply acquainted with it. This single-pointed concentration is placement meditation.