How to Live a Spiritual Life (Retreat)

How to Live a Spiritual Life (Retreat) ~ Following the Buddhist Path

Annual Refuge Retreat

In-depth Buddhist Meditation Retreat

During this retreat, we will spend time developing the beautiful mind of refuge, our actual protection from pain and problems. Through the practice of going for refuge, we gradually build a stable peace, joy and freedom within our own heart, giving us the confidence and strength to make authentic spiritual progress that we can then share with others.

We attain permanent freedom from suffering by sincerely relying upon the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Dharma is like medicine that protects us from the sufferings caused by our delusions. Buddha is the doctor who gives us this medicine, and the Sangha are the nurses who assist us. Understanding this, we go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Even though this retreat is part of the commitments of the Teacher Training Programme, it is suitable for everyone. Each session will emphasize a different aspect of the practice of going for Refuge, using clear instructions from books written by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, such as, Joyful Path of Good Fortune. Although each session will build up on the previous one, they are all self-contained and can be attended individually.

Both afternoon sessions on Sunday, and the first session on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be guided by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Thekchen. All other sessions will be guided by Teachers currently studying on the Teacher Training Programme (TTP) at KMC Canada. Everyone is welcome!

** Accommodation is available for this event. Please visit the Accommodation page for more information and to submit a request. **

Schedule

Sunday, June 25th
Session 1: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - guided Gen Thekchen
Session 2: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - guided Gen Thekchen

Monday, June 26th
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - guided by Gen Thekchen
Session 2: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student
Session 3: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student

Tuesday, June 27th
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - guided by Gen Thekchen
Session 2: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student
Session 3: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student

Wednesday, June 28th
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - guided by Gen Thekchen
Session 2: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student
Session 3: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - guided by TTP student


Recommended Materials

Some books and prayer booklets might be useful during this retreat.

- Prayer booklets: We will be using the sets of prayers: Essence of Good Fortune and Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche from his Faithful Disciples.

- Books: This retreat will be mainly based on the instructions in the book: Joyful Path of Good Fortune, Modern Buddhism and the New Meditation Handbook, by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

All suggested prayer booklets and books are available at the Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada Bookstore & Giftshop.

Teacher

The main Teacher for this retreat is our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Thekchen. He will be guiding both afternoon sessions on Sunday, and the first session on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. All other sessions will be guided by Teachers currently studying on the Teacher Training Programme (TTP) at KMC Canada.

Gen Kelsang Thekchen is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). He began practising Kadam Dharma in Toronto in 1995 and has been a Kadampa monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for 24 years.

He has been the Resident Teacher at Kuluta Buddhist Centre in Kingston, at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada as the National Spiritual Director, at Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver as well as Madhyamaka KMC and Bodhisattva KMC in the UK. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha’s teachings in a simple, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.

At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Gen Thekchen usually teaches the Sunday and Wednesday morning, and Tuesday evening classes. He also teaches at special events, courses and workshops as well as our two in-depth study programs, the Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program.

Click here for more information about the Teacher Training Programme.