How to Live a Spiritual Life
Following the Buddhist Path
Annual Refuge Retreat
with Gen Kelsang Thekchen & others
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. **
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This event is taking place at:
Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1 -
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 ThekchenMonday, 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 studentTuesday, 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 studentWednesday, 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 -
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.
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Regular: $10 / person / session
Class Pass Holders: $5 / person / session
(click here for more information about the monthly class pass)
Teacher Training Programme Students: IncludedHow to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event.
To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.
Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.
Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.
It is the letters in the first part of your email address (before the @), excluding dots ( . ), hyphens ( - ) or underscore ( _ ) and with a maximum of 16 digits.
Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.
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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.
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Accommodation is available for this retreat. For more information and to submit a request, please click here.
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If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]