879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

We all want to live a life of great meaning. We also wish for lasting peace and happiness. This retreat will introduce profound Buddhist meditations that have the power to create peace and happiness from within, making our life extremely meaningful.

The stages of the path to enlightenment or 'Lamrim' are a powerful series of contemplations and meditations that reveal hidden spiritual truths which awaken our love, compassion and wisdom. Meditation topics will include: our precious human life, impermanence, karma, and the true source of suffering. We will also engage in a series of meditations that open our heart of universal love and compassion. Each session will include a teaching, chanted prayers and a guided meditation. No previous experience of meditation or Buddhism is needed. Everyone is welcome!

Retreat Schedule

Saturday Aug 31

9-10:30am   An introduction to Lamrim and Precious Human Life

11:15am-12:30pm   Death and Impermanence

2-3:30pm with Q&A    Dangers of lower rebirth, and refuge

7-8:15pm    Karma

 
Sunday Sept 1

9-10:15am     Renunciation - True Sufferings

11:15am-12:30pm    Renunciation - True Origins

2-3:30pm with Q&A    Renunciation - True Path

7-8:15pm    Renunciation - True Cessations

 
Monday Sept 2

9-10:15am    Developing equanimity

11:15am-12:30pm    Recognizing all beings as our mother

2-3:30pm with Q&A    Remembering the kindness of mother beings

7-8:15pm    Equalizing self and others

 
Tuesday Sept 3

9-10:15am    Faults of Self Cherishing

11:15am-12:30pm    Benefits of Cherishing others

2-3:30pm with Q&A    Exchanging self and others

7-8:15pm    General Program class

 
Wednesday Sept 4

9-10:15am    Great Compassion

11:15-12:30pm    Taking 

2-3:30pm    Wishing Love and Giving

7-8:15    Bodhichitta

 
Thursday Sept 5

9-10:15am    Emptiness of body

11:15-12:30pm    Emptiness of I 

2-3:30pm    Reliance upon the Spiritual Guide

This retreat will be guided by Gen Kelsang Thekchen, who is a Kadampa Buddhist monk & senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. Gen Thekchen has taught widely in Canada and in the UK, and is now the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a practical, profound and often humorous way, making them very accessible and easy to practise in everyday life.