Special Events

From public talks and community events to National Celebrations and International Festivals.



Meditation Retreats

Meditation retreats for all levels.


All Events

Including regular classes, community events and chanted prayers.

Filtering by: “Day Courses”
Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Through The Heart Sutra
Dec
13

Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Through The Heart Sutra

Overcoming Life’s Obstacles
Through The Heart Sutra

Day course with Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Chodor

Book Now

On this Saturday course, we will learn a special Buddhist meditation practice called The Great Mother. This practice helps us dissolve both inner challenges—such as stress, negative thoughts, or discouragement—and outer challenges, like difficult situations or obstacles that hold back our spiritual development. For generations, people have turned to this practice for strength, protection, and support in both their spiritual and everyday lives.

This course is suitable for everyone, including those who are completely new to Buddhist meditation. Everything will be clearly explained and gently guided step by step.

This course takes place in the serene, spacious, and comfortable meditation room at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. Between sessions, enjoy complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions.

No previous meditation experience is needed. Everyone is welcome!

  • These classes are held in the peaceful, spacious and comfortable meditation room at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. We also have many books and other meditation materials available at our Temple shop which can help you deepen your understanding of the meditation experience through further study.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • 10:00 - 11:30AM
    Talk & Guided Meditations

    11:30 - 12:00 PM
    Refreshments Break

    12:00PM - 1:00 PM

    Talk & Guided Meditation

    1:00–2:30pm
    Lunch Break

    2:30–3:45pm
    Talk & Guided Meditations

  • Gen Kelsang Chodor is our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-two years.

    He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US. He is admired by students for his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humor. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Gen Chodor usually teaches the Sunday morning, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning classes. As well he also teaches special events, courses and workshops and two in-depth study programmes: the Foundation Programme and the Teacher Training Programme.

  • Regular: $55
    80 Class Pass: $27.50
    108 Class Pass: no cost

    Live-streaming option available to Class Pass holders.

    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.

    By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Parking spaces are limited in this residential area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.

    Temporary day parking spots nearby: Green P Parking‍.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Booking

 
View Event →

Day Course ~ Understanding Dreams & the Nature of our Reality
May
3

Day Course ~ Understanding Dreams & the Nature of our Reality

Understanding Dreams
& the Nature of our Reality

Day Course

Book Now

All wisdom paves the way to happiness, but the highest wisdom—the wisdom that realizes ultimate truth, emptiness—holds the key to lasting peace. In this meditation course, Gen Chodor, resident teacher of KMC Canada, will practically explain how this profound understanding of emptiness removes suffering at its root, offering us freedom from all pain.

“Through realizing emptiness every kind of problem will automatically cease. This I promise. I am telling you this from my own experience; I am not just intellectual. This is the real meaning of your having met Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.”

  • These classes are held in the peaceful, spacious and comfortable meditation room at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. We also have many books and other meditation materials available at our Temple shop which can help you deepen your understanding of the meditation experience through further study.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Schedule

    10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
    Teaching & Meditation


    11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
    Refreshments Break

    11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
    Teaching & Meditation

    1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    Lunch Break

    2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
    Teaching / Meditation & Q&A

  • Gen Kelsang Chodor is our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-two years.

    He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US. He is admired by students for his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humor. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Gen Chodor usually teaches the Sunday morning, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning classes. As well he also teaches special events, courses and workshops and two in-depth study programmes: the Foundation Programme and the Teacher Training Programme.

  • Regular: $55
    80 Class Pass: $27.50
    108 Class Pass: no cost

    Live-streaming option available to Class Pass holders.

    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.

    By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Parking spaces are limited in the area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.

    It is possible to find parking in the nearby streets. However, it is generally not possible to park for more than 3 hours during the day. It is necessary to have a permit in order to park overnight in the area.

    Temporary day parking spots nearby: Some options are available for temporary day parking spots nearby, for example with the following companies: Green P Parking, Spot Hero.

    Temporary on-street permit parking in Toronto: Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program of the city of Toronto. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford St. if possible. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking on Crawford St.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Booking

 
View Event →
Special Day Course ~ The Buddhist Way of Life & Refuge Vow Ceremony
Mar
29

Special Day Course ~ The Buddhist Way of Life & Refuge Vow Ceremony

The Buddhist Way of Life
& (optional) Refuge Vow Ceremony

Finding Lasting Freedom from Problems

Special Day Course with Gen Kelsang Chodor

Book Now

We all encounter difficulties in life, but do they have the power to make us unhappy? According to Buddha’s wisdom, our problems do not exist outside of us—they arise from within our own mind. When we respond to challenges with negative states of mind, such as anger, anxiety, or attachment, we create suffering for ourselves and others.

In this course, Gen Kelsang Chodor, Resident Teacher of KMC Canada, will explain how we can free ourselves from painful feelings by transforming our mind. Through understanding and practicing the Buddhist way of life—the path of refuge, seeking protection in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—we can heal our mind, cultivate deep inner peace, and follow a path to lasting happiness.

Join us to discover how the Buddhist way of life offers a clear, practical method to overcome problems at their root and find true freedom.

Note: In the afternoon, there will be a special opportunity to receive the Buddhist Refuge Vows for those who wish to take them. These will be explained during the day.

  • These classes are held in the peaceful, spacious and comfortable meditation room at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. We also have many books and other meditation materials available at our Temple shop which can help you deepen your understanding of the meditation experience through further study.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Teaching & Meditation

    11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Refreshments Break

    12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Teaching & Meditation

    1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    Lunch Break

    2:30 PM – 4:00 PM — Refuge Ceremony (optional)

  • Gen Kelsang Chodor is our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-two years.

    He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US. He is admired by students for his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humor. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Gen Chodor usually teaches the Sunday morning, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning classes. As well he also teaches special events, courses and workshops and two in-depth study programmes: the Foundation Programme and the Teacher Training Programme.

  • Regular: $55
    80 Card Pass: $27.50
    108 Card Pass: no cost

    Live-streaming option available to Class Pass holders.

    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.

    By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Parking spaces are limited in the area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.

    It is possible to find parking in the nearby streets. However, it is generally not possible to park for more than 3 hours during the day. It is necessary to have a permit in order to park overnight in the area.

    Temporary day parking spots nearby: Some options are available for temporary day parking spots nearby, for example with the following companies: Green P Parking, Spot Hero.

    Temporary on-street permit parking in Toronto: Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program of the city of Toronto. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford St. if possible. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking on Crawford St.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Booking

 
View Event →
DAY RETREAT- Clarity of Mind: Mahamudra Retreat
Jan
11

DAY RETREAT- Clarity of Mind: Mahamudra Retreat

DAY RETREAT

Clarity of Mind: Mahamudra Retreat

Saturday January 11

Join us for a transformative meditation retreat!

The theme of this special one-day retreat is meditating
on the clarity of our mind through 'Mahamudra meditation.'
By focusing on the peaceful nature of our mind, we can learn
to dissolve negative thoughts and
uncover a boundless source of inner happiness.

*You could consider immersing yourself in a longer retreat. Click here.

During a meditation retreat, we reduce our usual daily activities and focus for a period of time on cultivating peaceful minds and positive qualities such as love, compassion, and wisdom, ultimately finding happiness from within.

These retreats attract people from all walks of life. They are ideal for those looking to escape the busyness of daily life and recharge mentally and spiritually.

The retreat sessions include practical instructions, guided meditations, and Q&A time. Between sessions, there is time to relax, rest, and connect with like-minded individuals in our café area. The peaceful surroundings of Kadampa Meditation Center Canada provide the perfect environment for creating a sense of calm within the mind.

Book Now
  • This event is taking place at:

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Gen Kelsang Chodor is our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-two years.

    He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US, and is now teaching in Canada. He is admired by students because of his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humour. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, he usually teaches the Sunday morning class, the Tuesday evening class, the Wednesday morning class, as well as special courses, retreats, and two in-depth study programs; the Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program.

  • Schedule

    Saturday January 11
    9:30 - 10:30am : Talk and guided meditation
    11am - 12pm : Talk and guided meditation
    2 - 3pm : Talk and guided meditation
    3:30 - 4:30pm : Talk and guided meditation

  • Regular: $40 / person
    80 Class pass: 50% discount
    108 Class Pass: no cost
    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: Please book in advance using our booking form below. While we welcome last-minute drop-ins, pre-registration is encouraged to ensure a smoother check-in process and reduce your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the event begins.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • Accommodations are available for those engaging in this event. The rooms are in limited quantity. For further information and to submit a request, please click here.

    An apartment is available as an Air B&B. Click here

  • Please familiarize yourself with our terms & conditions and refund policy before booking your ticket. For more information, please click here.

  • By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.

    By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Parking spaces are limited in the area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.

    It is possible to find parking in the nearby streets. However, it is generally not possible to park for more than 3 hours during the day. It is necessary to have a permit in order to park overnight in the area.

    Temporary day parking spots nearby: Some options are available for temporary day parking spots nearby, for example with the following companies: Green P Parking, Spot Hero.

    Temporary on-street permit parking in Toronto: Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program of the city of Toronto. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford St. if possible. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking on Crawford St.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Booking
 
View Event →
DAY-RETREAT: Training the Mind in Happiness
Jan
4

DAY-RETREAT: Training the Mind in Happiness

DAY-RETREAT

Training The Mind In Happiness

Saturday January 4

Join us for a transformative one day meditation retreat!

The theme of this special retreat is meditation on “Lamrim,” the stages of the path to enlightenment. Lamrim is a scientific method for increasing human happiness.

The main source of happiness is inner peace. Since inner peace is something we can cultivate, we all have the ability to train in happiness. In this retreat, we will focus on developing inner peace through meditation on the stages of the path to enlightenment.

During a meditation retreat, we reduce our usual daily activities and focus for a period of time on cultivating peaceful minds and positive qualities such as love, compassion, and wisdom, ultimately finding happiness from within.

These retreats attract people from all walks of life. They are ideal for those looking to escape the busyness of daily life and recharge mentally and spiritually.

The retreat sessions include practical instructions, guided meditations, and Q&A time. Between sessions, there is time to relax, rest, and connect with like-minded individuals in our community area. The peaceful surroundings of Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada provide the perfect environment for creating a sense of calm within the mind.

Book Now
  • This event is taking place at:

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Gen Kelsang Chodor is our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-two years.

    He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US, and is now teaching in Canada. He is admired by students because of his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humour. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, he usually teaches the Sunday morning class, the Tuesday evening class, the Wednesday morning class, as well as special courses, retreats, and two in-depth study programs; the Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program.

  • Schedule

    Saturday 4th January
    9:30 - 10:30am : Talk and guided meditation
    11am - 12pm : Talk and guided meditation
    2 - 3pm : Talk and guided meditation
    3:30 - 4:30pm : Talk and guided meditation

  • Regular: $40 / person
    80 Class pass: 50% discount
    108 Class Pass: no cost
    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: Please book in advance using our booking form below. While we welcome last-minute drop-ins, pre-registration is encouraged to ensure a smoother check-in process and reduce your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the event begins.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • Please familiarize yourself with our terms & conditions and refund policy before booking your ticket. For more information, please click here.

  • By public transport: We are located at an equal distance from either the Christie or the Ossington subway station.

    By car: We are located close to the intersection Bloor & Christie, on Crawford Street, which is a one way street from Harbord to Bloor.

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Parking spaces are limited in the area. For this reason, it is easier to come by public transport if this is an option for you.

    It is possible to find parking in the nearby streets. However, it is generally not possible to park for more than 3 hours during the day. It is necessary to have a permit in order to park overnight in the area.

    Temporary day parking spots nearby: Some options are available for temporary day parking spots nearby, for example with the following companies: Green P Parking, Spot Hero.

    Temporary on-street permit parking in Toronto: Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program of the city of Toronto. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford St. if possible. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking on Crawford St.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Booking
 
View Event →
Meditations for Healing Ourself & Others
May
6

Meditations for Healing Ourself & Others

Meditations for Healing Ourself & Others

The Practice of Taking and Giving
Day Course with Gen Kelsang Thekchen

This ancient meditative practice is the best way to transform all types of difficulty such as pain, illness, anxiety into an opportunity to strengthen our inner peace, love and compassion. Taking and giving is a beautiful, profound method to transform our personal problems and the sufferings in this world into the very means for experiencing love, joy, compassion and wisdom. This practice brings mental peace and happiness, increasing our spiritual strength and capacity to overcome challenges while developing the supreme good heart of a Bodhisattva.

This day course will explore practical ways to use the meditations on imagining taking on the suffering of others and giving love to others. We can apply this when we are suffering, or when others we care about are suffering. We can apply this in formal meditation and in daily life. This course is suitable for everyone, regardless of experience. Everyone is welcome!

** Accommodation is available for this event. Please visit the Accommodation page for more information and to submit a request. **

  • This event is taking place at:

    Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada
    631 Crawford St. Toronto ON M6G 3K1

    Open Google Maps

  • Saturday, May 6, 2023

    9:30 a.m: Doors open
    10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m: Session 1
    11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m: Refreshments
    11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m: Session 2
    1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m: Lunch
    2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m: Session 3

  • Gen Kelsang Thekchen is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). He began practising Kadam Dharma in Toronto in 1995 and has been a Kadampa monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for 24 years.

    He has been the Resident Teacher at Kuluta Buddhist Centre in Kingston, at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada as the National Spiritual Director, at Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver as well as Madhyamaka KMC and Bodhisattva KMC in the UK. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha’s teachings in a simple, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.

    At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Gen Thekchen usually teaches the Sunday and Wednesday morning, and Tuesday evening classes. He also teaches at special events, courses and workshops as well as our two in-depth study programs, the Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program.

  • Regular: $55 / person
    Class pass holders: $27.50 / person
    (click here for more information about the monthly class pass)

    How to book: You can book in advance via our website or simply drop in and register upon arrival. Pre-registration is encouraged to allow a smoother registration process and decrease your wait time at the door. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

    To book in advance, click on the booking button below and fill out the booking form. At the end of the booking process, you will receive an email confirming your booking.

    Promo code: If you are a class pass holder, you may enter your promo code at the top of the booking form to get your discount.

    Your promo code has been given to you when you first signed up to become a class pass holder.

    It is the letters in the first part of your email address (before the @), excluding dots ( . ), hyphens ( - ) or underscore ( _ ) and with a maximum of 16 digits.

    Payment methods: For pre-registration via our website, we accept credit cards. For registration on site upon arrival, we accept cash, debit and credit cards.

  • Accommodation is available for this event. For more information and to submit a request, please click here.

  • If you have any questions or booking inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Book Now
 
View Event →