The Secret to Happiness
Eight Verses of Training the Mind
Special Christmas Course with Gen Kelsang Dorje
" With the intention to attain the ultimate, supreme goal that surpasses even the wish-granting jewel, may I constantly cherish all living beings. (…) Whenever I see unfortunate beings, oppressed by evil and violent suffering, may I cherish them as if I had found a rare and precious treasure. " - Geshe Langri Tangpa
This course will be based on the famous traditional Buddhist poem ‘Eight Verses of Training The Mind’ by Geshe Langri Tangpa, which contains methods for transforming life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, for improving our relationships, and for bringing greater patience, empathy and compassion into our daily life.
The special methods contained in this poem have inspired generations of meditation practitioners for almost a thousand years, and brought peace, inspiration and serenity to countless people. Through practising them, we will eventually gain a stable and lasting experience of inner peace and happiness.
This course will be followed by the course ‘A compassionate vision for 2024’ from Wednesday, December 27 in the evening to Friday, December 29 in the afternoon, with the same Guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Dorje. Bookings for this retreat are made separately. For more information and to book, please click here.
*Accommodations are available for those attending this event. The rooms are in limited quantity. For further information and to submit a request, please click here.*
Please note: There has been a schedule change for this event recently. Please refer yourself to the schedule below for the updated schedule information.
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This event is taking place at:
Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1 -
Saturday, December 23, 2023
- 6:30 p.m: Doors open
- 7:00 - 8:30 p.m: IntroductionSunday, December 24, 2023
- 9:30 a.m: Doors open
- 10:00 - 11:00 a.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 11:00 - 11:30 a.m: Break / Complimentary Refreshments
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 4:30 - 5:30 p.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 7:30 - 9:00 p.m: ‘An Evening of Compassion’ (Avalokiteshvara Meditation Practice for Christmas Eve)Monday, December 25, 2023
- 9:30 a.m: Doors open
- 10:00 - 11:00 a.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 11:00 - 11:30 a.m: Break / Complimentary Refreshments
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m: Christmas Potluck Vegetarian Lunch (Bring food to share)
- 6:00 - 7:45 p.m: Offering to the Spiritual Guide Chanted PrayersTuesday, December 26, 2023
- 9:30 a.m: Doors open
- 10:00 - 11:00 a.m: Talk & Guided Meditation
- 11:00 - 11:30 a.m: Break / Complimentary Refreshments
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Talk & Guided MeditationSuggested follow-up to the course: Wednesday, December 27 - Friday, December 29, 2023: ‘A compassionate vision for 2024’ (Bookings for this course are made separately.)
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Gen Kelsang Dorje is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Madison, USA. He has been studying and practising Buddhism for over 20 years under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, an internationally renowned Buddhist Master, and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).
Gen Kelsang Dorje is admired for his warmth and humour in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to the modern world. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate Buddha’s teachings into a joyful life.
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Full Booking:
Full Event
Regular: $115 / person
Class pass holders: $57.50 / personPartial Booking:
Saturday only
Regular: $20 / person
Class pass holders: $10 / personSunday only
Regular: $45 / person
Class pass holders: $22.50 / personMonday only
Regular: $25 / person
Class pass holders: $12.50 / personTuesday only
Regular: $25 / person
Class pass holders: $12.50 / person(click here for more information about the monthly class pass)
Audio Recordings: $5 / person (Saturday evening teaching)
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*For those who will be staying in our Accommodations, breakfast is included in the accommodation fees.*
On December 25th, there will be a Christmas Potluck Vegetarian Lunch (a communal meal to which people bring food to share).
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Accommodations are available for those attending this event. The rooms are in limited quantity. For further information and to submit a request, please click here.
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Please familiarize yourself with our terms & conditions and refund policy before booking your ticket. For more information, please click here.
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By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.
By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.
Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1 -
Parking spaces are limited in the area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.
It is possible to find parking in the nearby streets. However, it is generally not possible to park for more than 3 hours during the day. It is necessary to have a permit in order to park overnight in the area.
Temporary day parking spots nearby: Some options are available for temporary day parking spots nearby, for example with the following companies: Green P Parking, Spot Hero.
Temporary on-street permit parking in Toronto: Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program of the city of Toronto. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford St. if possible. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking on Crawford St.
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If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]