The Benefits of Festivals |
Geshe Kelsang is recognized as a foremost teacher of Buddhism in the world today. He is a living example of the beauty and strength of a fully transformed mind, a living example of how authentic and deep happiness is within the reach of all of us. You are all warmly invited to the Festivals given by Geshe Kelsang in the UK this spring and summer 2004. Why think about going? Lots of reasons, here are three of them: (1) It is a great and welcome vacation! Anyone who is experiencing any degree of discomfort, anxiety, boredom, frustration, sense of meaninglessness, or pain (whether physical or mental) can benefit from a vacation. Just getting away from the usual routine and surroundings alleviates stress, promotes relaxation, and establishes more positive attitudes. Unfortunately, the effects are almost always pretty temporary. The vacation ends, but the same problems are still there. Nothing has changed. We have come up with no new behavioral strategies or spiritual insights. The weekend or week was only a temporary escape. Within a few days of returning to work and resuming regular and busy routines, the benefits of the getaway are lost. It's back to business as usual, where we become so involved with the details of everyday living that we forget the deeper meaning and experiences of life. But a Festival, or "meaningful vacation" as Geshe-la describes it, is different. It gives us knowledge and skills to deal with our problems in the present, as soon as we get back to work and home. We learn to live life in a more comfortable and healthy and meaningful manner. It provides long-lasting spiritual benefits and blessings that continue long after the vacation is over. (2) Probably the main reason to go is because it is both a wonderful and increasingly rare opportunity to be in the presence of a compassionate and qualified spiritual master, who humbly conveys profound spiritual truths from his own direct experience and inspires us to realize them ourselves. Geshe-la (as he is affectionately known) never evangelizes, but always presents Buddha's teachings clearly and practically, empowering us to take them to heart and use them to change our lives. (3) Last but not least, during a Festival we can also make connections with many inspiring people from all round the world, who provide us with the much-needed support of spiritual friendship and encouragement. |
SPECIAL EVENTS Shelter from the Storm International Spring Je Tsongkhapa Shelter from the Storm International Summer PHOTOS View the US
2008 For everything you ever wanted to know about Kadampa Buddhism visit the main Kadampa Tradition website. |