879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

For those who wish for a deep inner transformation, this annual retreat offers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with two in-depth Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings. Both practices are powerful ways to fill our mind with merit, or good fortune, and to receive profound, transformative blessings. They are indispensable for those who are serious about attaining authentic spiritual realizations, in particular the state of full enlightenment.

The practice of Guru Yoga is a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide with faith and correct imagination, in order to receive his or her blessings. The practice of Mandala Offerings is an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land, with all its inhabitants as pure beings. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable for everyone.

This retreat is partially guided by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Thekchen.

Retreat Schedule

Sunday June 23

Session 1:  9-10:30am
Introduction to Mandala Offerings & Guru Yoga, with Heart Jewel Prayers

Session 2:  11.30-1pm

Session 3:  2.30-4pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm

Monday June 24

Session 1:  9-10:30am

Session 2:  11.30-1pm

Session 3:  2.30-4pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm

Tuesday June 25

Session 1:  9-10:30am

Session 2:  11.30-1pm

Session 3:  2.30-4.30pm (This session will be Offering to the Spiritual Guide prayers.)

Wednesday June 26

Session 1:  8-9.30am

Session 2:  10-11.30am

Session 3:  2.30-4pm

A half-day course about accumulating good karma and offering mandalas, called "Happiness, Success & the Law of Karma" will be given the day before this retreat begins, on Sat. June 22 (10am-1pm). Attending this course would be a perfect preparation for the Guru Yoga Mandala Offering Retreat. For information about the course, click here. 

This retreat will be led by Resident Teacher Gen  Kelsang Thekchen, who is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Kadampa Buddhist monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a simple, profound, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.