Refuge, Friend and Helper
with our Resident Teacher
at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa
Saturday October 25
10am to 4:30pm
The quickest way to make progress in anything in life is to rely upon the skillful guidance of a person who is already fully accomplished in what we are trying to achieve. For example, if we want to learn to play a musical instrument or to speak a new language we first find someone who is qualified to teach us. This is also true in our spiritual life – we need to rely upon an authentic and well-qualified Spiritual Guide to help us make swift progress in our spiritual training.
All schools of Buddhism agree that the practice of relying upon a Spiritual Guide, is the root of the spiritual path and the foundation of all spiritual attainments. On this course, we look at how to develop confidence and trust in a Spiritual Guide, why having a Teacher or Spiritual Guide is central to our spiritual progress, and how to deepen our experience of the precious practice of reliance on our Spiritual Guide.
We can also learn how to rely upon the Dharma Protector who helps us avert obstacles and creates the right conditions for our practice.
This course is a wonderful opportunity to understand what faith is and how to rely sincerely upon a Spiritual Guide and establish a strong daily meditation practice. This course is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
To finish the day which is Je Tsongkhapa day - a day where we remember the kindness of the supreme Spiritual Guide, Je Tsongkhapa, we will engage in the prayers called “Offering to the Spiritual Guide.”
9:40 ~ 10:00am: Registration
10 ~ 11:15am: Teaching
11:.15 ~ 11:45am: Morning tea break
11:45am ~ 12:30pm: Guided meditation
12:30 ~ 2:00pm: Lunch break
2 ~ 3:15pm: Teaching
3:.15 ~ 3:45pm: Afternoon tea break
3:45 – 4:30pm: Guided meditation
7-8:45pm: Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers
This course will be taught 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 30 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.
To hear a short sample of a teaching by Gen Thekchen, click on the arrow below.
Learn to rely on the Spiritual Guide and Dharma Protector
In the beginning of our practice the most essential thing is to tame our mind, for only this will enable us to benefit all sentient beings.