879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

Have you ever wondered who the Buddha actually was? Was he a god, a myth, a philosopher, or a religious icon?

Buddha Shakyamuni was not always Enlightened.  At one time he was Prince Siddhartha who transformed his mind to solve real human problems. Born into extreme luxury, he realized that material wealth could not prevent the pain of aging, sickness, and death. Driven by immense compassion, he gave up his royal status to find a permanent solution to human suffering—eventually attaining full enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

The word "Buddha" simply means "Awakened One". It is a title given to anyone who has completely awakened from the sleep of ignorance and freed their mind from selfishness, anger, and anxiety.

This means that Buddhahood is not an exclusive club. Because we all possess a naturally pure mind, every single one of us has the potential to become an awakened being. By looking at who Buddha was, we are actually looking at a blueprint for our own ultimate potential.

In this public talk, Gen Thekchen will demystify the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. You will learn how his ancient, scientific insights into human psychology can be used as practical tools to navigate the stress and uncertainty of modern life.

What you will learn:

• • The historical life story of Prince Siddhartha and his journey to enlightenment.
  • What it practically means to have an "awakened mind" in the modern world.
  • How to connect with your own "Buddha nature"—your inner capacity for limitless peace and happiness.

The Teacher for this talk will be Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Thekchen, who is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition / International Kadampa Buddhist Union. Gen Thekchen has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 30 years. He has taught extensively in Canada and in the UK, and is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a simple yet profound, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.

The Public Talk will take place at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa, 879 Somerset, near Preston.

Please note the event begins at 7pm. Please arrive a few minutes early.