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Including regular classes, community events and chanted prayers.

Filtering by: “In-Depth Buddhist Retreat”
Summer HYT Retreat - Heruka Body Mandala
Aug
21
to Aug 23

Summer HYT Retreat - Heruka Body Mandala

Heruka Body Mandala
Summer Retreat

With special Guest Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen

Please note: This retreat is for those who have already received Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT) empowerment, or who have the intention to receive one in the near future.


To lead all living beings to the supreme happiness of enlightenment, all the Buddhas’ compassion appears in the form of Heruka. Through relying on Heruka with faith we will attain the realization of the union of great bliss and emptiness, which is the actual quick path to enlightenment.

By meditating on Heruka Body Mandala we receive powerful blessings that free us from all obstacles to our spiritual practice and enable us to attain profound spiritual realizations quickly. This retreat focuses on the profound tantric practice of Yoga of Buddha Heruka.

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Country Retreat - Abiding in a Peaceful Mind
Sep
4
to Sep 7

Country Retreat - Abiding in a Peaceful Mind

5 Oaks Labour Day Retreat

Friday, September 4th to Monday, September 7th 2026

Abiding in a Peaceful Mind


With Gen Kelsang Chodor, National Spiritual Director for Canada & Resident Teacher, Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada in Toronto


The Purpose Of This Retreat

During this special meditation retreat, we have the opportunity to step away from our busy lives and train in meditative stillness, or tranquil abiding.

With guidance and through focused retreat sessions, we will learn to pacify distractions and experience the inner peace and stillness of concentration.

Everyone is welcome.

“A person who has good, virtuous concentration has control over his mind, and his mind does what he wants it to do, like a well-trained horse that obeys its rider.” - Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Everyone welcome!

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Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith Day Retreat
Jun
4

Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith Day Retreat

Offering Our Faith - Day Retreat
on
Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day

Annual Retreat in Honour of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Every day we remember the extraordinary kindness of Venerable Geshe-la, our Root Guru and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

But on the auspicious day of June 4th, at Kadampa centres around the world, with minds of rejoicing and gratitude, we offer him our faith through using the Special Prayer Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso from his Faithful Disciples and collecting our Guru’s name mantra in a one-day retreat.

There will then be three sessions of retreat using the prayer booklet The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra and the Special Request Prayer. In the evening, the retreat will conclude with Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers.

Our Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Chodor will give a brief introduction to the retreat at the start of the 8:30am session.

This event is free of charge. Please register to let us know that you are attending.

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Blissful Path - Vajrayogini Retreat
Apr
25

Blissful Path - Vajrayogini Retreat

Blissful Path
- Vajrayogini Retreat -

with Gen Kelsang Chodor


Please note: This retreat is for those who have already received a Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT) empowerment, or who have a clear intention to receive one at the earliest opportunity (for example, at this year’s UK International Summer Festival).

In each session, Gen Chodor will offer explanations and guide meditations on different aspects of the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Vajrayogini, including the completion stage. This retreat is essential for those wishing to deepen their familiarity with and understanding of the essence of Vajrayogini Tantra, and to further develop their personal practice.

Booking

 
 
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Amitayus Retreat - Long Life, Merit & Wisdom
Feb
21

Amitayus Retreat - Long Life, Merit & Wisdom

Amitayus Retreat

Long Life, Merit & Wisdom

Annual Retreat with Gen Kelsang Chodor


The greatest obstacles to the fulfilment of our wish to experience pure happiness are death and ignorance. Death destroys our opportunity to take the essence of our precious human life, and ignorance destroys our opportunity to develop a pure experience of Buddha’s teachings, the Dharma. To overcome these obstacles, we need to increase our lifespan and our wisdom. The principal method for doing this is the yoga of Buddha Amitayus, which is also a special method for increasing the positive power of our mind, or merit.

With a long life, we can complete our spiritual path in this very life. We can also engage in this special practice on behalf others when they are sick or in danger of dying. This traditional retreat is offered each year, usually in January or February. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable to everyone. No prior experience of Buddhism or meditation is required. Everyone is welcome!

Everyone Welcome!

Booking

 
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Clear Mind Urban Meditation Retreat
Jan
24

Clear Mind Urban Meditation Retreat

Clear Mind Urban Meditation Retreat

Rest & Recharge
Settle into the clear nature of your mind

with Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Chodor

This retreat is open to everyone, regardless of prior experience.

This short meditation retreat offers a wonderful opportunity to gain direct experience of meditation practice. During the retreat, we will learn how to settle into the clarity, luminosity, and natural purity of our own mind, allowing a deeply peaceful state of awareness to arise.

Our mind is like the boundless blue sky, while mental busyness, painful emotions, and judgments are like passing clouds. Through practice, we can allow these clouds to dissolve, revealing the clarity and peace that are always present within.


Everyone Welcome!

Booking

 
 
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Jan
2
to Jan 26

Dorje Shugden Close Retreat - Now Is The Time

Dorje Shugden Close Retreat

NOW IS THE TIME


The Purpose Of This Retreat

During this retreat we will be emphasizing drawing close to the Wisdom Protector

Dorje Shugden to make a special connection with him and receive his special care.

Dorje Shugden always helps, guides and protects pure and faithful practitioners by

granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their wishes, and bestowing

success on all their virtuous activities.

Format of each session (advice from Geshe-la):

“In this Dorje Shugden close retreat we should do in conjunction with Wishfulfilling

Jewel sadhana. From Refuge to the Mantra Recitation - then we collect mantras -

the two mantras - the short and longer mantras, we collect 100,000 of each

mantra. Never missing, at least two sessions a day. In each session we offer a tsog

offering. For the first, second and third sessions we recite the tsog offering verse

just verbally; we don't get up; no human tastes the tsog offering so there is no spirit

offering in these three sessions.


Before each session we add a few biscuits, few snacks or a few cakes - the bala and

madana stay the same - we just add to the Guru plate and the general tsog offering.

So in the fourth session we actually make the offering, distribute the tsog and taste

and then there will be the spirit offering.


When we are reciting the mantra we are concentrating on the meaning and we

continue in this way until we count 100,000 then we are finished.


After that we can do a Vajradaka burning offering to purify mistakes. During the

retreat we don't rush because we are doing the whole of Wishfulifilling Jewel in

each session. We do gently, but everyday at least two sessions.

The main point on a close retreat of Dorje Shugden is that we are making a special

connection and in this way you will receive his special care.”

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Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith on Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day
Jun
4

Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith on Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day

Offering Our Faith
Prayers to the Holy Spiritual Guide

on
Turning the Wheel of Dharma Day

Annual Retreat in Honour of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Every day we remember the extraordinary kindness of Venerable Geshe-la, our Root Guru and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

But on the auspicious day of June 4th, at Kadampa centres around the world, with minds of rejoicing and gratitude, we offer him our faith through using the Special Prayer Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso from his Faithful Disciples and collecting our Guru’s name mantra in a one-day retreat.

There will then be three sessions of retreat using the prayer booklet The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra and the Special Request Prayer. In the evening, the retreat will conclude with Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers.

Our Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Chodor will give a brief introduction to the retreat at the start of the 9am session.

This event is free of charge.

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Vajrasattva Purification Retreat
May
11

Vajrasattva Purification Retreat

Vajrasattva Purification Retreat

Half-day Retreat

We dedicate most of our time and energy trying to avoid problems by making changes to the external world. However, the main cause of our unhappiness and difficulties cannot be found in external conditions. It is the negative karma we have created in the past through performing harmful actions. By relying upon Vajrasattva, the Buddha of purification we will cleanse our mind of delusions, negativity and obstacles. Through special meditation and mantra recitation we have the great opportunity to purify our mind quickly, so that we can make swift progress on the spiritual path.

The practice on Sunday is accomplished within the sadhana Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva and guided by Gen Chodor.

Please note: This is a four day annual retreat undertaken by students of the Teacher Training Programme (TTP). The two sessions on Sunday are open to those who have some familiarity with Vajrasattva practice and would like to take part.
TTP students will continue the rest of the retreat on their own.

* There are some sadhana booklets for retreaters to use while at the Centre. Printed booklet and downloadable mp3 are also available for sale in the shop or through Tharpa Publications.

Booking

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Easter Course - The Power of Prayer
Apr
18
to Apr 20

Easter Course - The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

with Gen Kelsang Chodor & Kelsang Rigma

In this course, we will explore the nature of prayer, how to make it more powerful and effective, and how to integrate it into our busy daily lives.

“World peace is very important; we cannot ignore this now. Once something happens, it will be too late. This world is now, as you know, very delicate, very fragile, and very sensitive. It is almost as delicate as the life of a single person; the world situation is so delicate. This is because there are so many disagreements. Political leaders are ready to fight; everybody is preparing weapons ready to fight and are challenging each other. So, we spiritual practitioners need to offer prayers because prayers are very powerful.” - Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

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

 
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Nyungne Retreat ~ Special Purification & Fasting Practice
Apr
15
to Apr 16

Nyungne Retreat ~ Special Purification & Fasting Practice

Special Purification & Fasting Practice

Nyungne Retreat with Gen Kelsang Chodor

This two-day retreat, done in conjunction with Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara practice, is very powerful for purifying negative karma of body, speech, and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. This practice involves taking the Eight Mahayana precepts, a promise to avoid all non-virtue for 24 hours, combined with the practice of prostrations. Through this we improve our compassion and develop a pure and light heart.

This practice is done over two days. On the first day, it is customary to abstain from all meals apart from lunch at 12:30 p.m. On the second day, we engage in a complete fast, abstaining from all food and drink for 24 hours. This traditional retreat is offered each year around the 15th of April, Buddha's Enlightenment Day. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is open to everyone. *If this is your first time attending a Nyungne Retreat, please email: [email protected] to receive essential informations before the start of the retreat.*

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

 
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Retreat ~ Long Life, Merit & Wisdom
Feb
22

Retreat ~ Long Life, Merit & Wisdom

Long Life, Merit & Wisdom

Annual Amitayus Retreat with Gen Kelsang Chodor

The greatest obstacles to the fulfilment of our wish to experience pure happiness are death and ignorance. Death destroys our opportunity to take the essence of our precious human life, and ignorance destroys our opportunity to develop a pure experience of Buddha’s teachings, the Dharma. To overcome these obstacles, we need to increase our lifespan and our wisdom. The principal method for doing this is the yoga of Buddha Amitayus, which is also a special method for increasing the positive power of our mind, or merit.

With a long life, we can complete our spiritual path in this very life. We can also engage in this special practice on behalf others when they are sick or in danger of dying. This traditional retreat is offered each year, usually in January or February. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable to everyone. No prior experience of Buddhism or meditation is required. Everyone is welcome!

 
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January Retreat Week 4 - Clarity of Mind : Clear Light of Bliss
Jan
24
to Jan 29

January Retreat Week 4 - Clarity of Mind : Clear Light of Bliss

January Retreat - Week 4

Clarity of Mind : Clear Light of Bliss

Friday January 24 - Wednesday January 29
Individual days can be attended

This in-depth retreat is intended for practitioners who have received Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT) empowerments within the New Kadampa Tradition or have the sincerely wish to receive them soon [Summer 2026 at Manjushri Centre, United Kingdom].

During this retreat, we will learn to practice the completion stage meditations of Highest Yoga Tantra, generating a deeply peaceful and concentrated mind by harnessing the subtle energy system within our body. With this blissful awareness, we can uncover our true nature and quickly become a source of benefit for others.

For the retreat sessions we will be using the Yoga of Buddha Heruka sadhana.


For those who do not have HYT empowerment, please consider foundational retreats here.

 
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January Retreat Week 3 - Eleven Yogas of Vajrayogini Retreat
Jan
17
to Jan 22

January Retreat Week 3 - Eleven Yogas of Vajrayogini Retreat

January Retreat - Week 3

Eleven Yogas of Vajrayogini Retreat

Friday January 17 - Wednesday January 22
Individual days can be attended

This in-depth retreat is intended for practitioners who have received Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT) empowerments within the New Kadampa Tradition or have the sincerely wish to receive them soon [Summer 2026 at Manjushri Centre, United Kingdom].

The main body of the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Vajrayogini is training in clear light. This main body has eleven limbs, which are called the “eleven yogas”. In this retreat we will deepen our experience of the eleven yogas of Vajrayogini.

For the retreat sessions we will be using the Vajrayogini “Blissful Path” sadhana.


~For those who do not have HYT empowerment, please consider foundational retreats here.

 
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Vajrasattva Purification -an In-depth Retreat
Dec
15
to Dec 18

Vajrasattva Purification -an In-depth Retreat

Vajrasattva Purification Retreat

Four-day Retreat

We dedicate most of our time and energy trying to avoid problems by making changes to the external world. However, the main cause of our unhappiness and difficulties cannot be found in external conditions. It is the negative karma we have created in the past through performing harmful actions. By relying upon Vajrasattva, the Buddha of purification we will cleanse our mind of delusions, negativity and obstacles. Through special meditation and mantra recitation we have the great opportunity to purify our mind quickly, so that we can make swift progress on the spiritual path.

The practice is accomplished within the sadhana Offering to the Spiritual Guide.

Please note: This retreat is part of the Teacher Training Programme but is also open to those who have some familiarity with Vajrasattva practice and would like to take part.

Booking

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In-depth Buddhist Retreat ~ Great Treasury of Merit
Jul
14

In-depth Buddhist Retreat ~ Great Treasury of Merit

Great Treasury of Merit

Receiving Authentic Spiritual Realizations

Guru Yoga & Mandala Offering Retreat 2 ~ with Gen Kelsang Chodor

This two session meditation retreat offers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with two in-depth Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings. Both practices are powerful ways to fill our mind with merit, or good fortune, and to receive profound, transformative blessings. They are indispensable for those who are serious about attaining authentic spiritual realizations, in particular the state of full enlightenment.

The practice of Guru Yoga is a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide with faith and correct imagination, in order to receive his or her blessings. The practice of Mandala Offerings is an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land, with all its inhabitants as pure beings. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable to everyone.

This one-day retreat will be presided by Gen Kelsang Chodor

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

 
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In-depth Buddhist Retreat ~ Great Treasury of Merit
Jun
30

In-depth Buddhist Retreat ~ Great Treasury of Merit

Great Treasury of Merit

Receiving Authentic Spiritual Realizations

Guru Yoga & Mandala Offering Retreat with Gen Kelsang Chodor

This two session meditation retreat offers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with two in-depth Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings. Both practices are powerful ways to fill our mind with merit, or good fortune, and to receive profound, transformative blessings. They are indispensable for those who are serious about attaining authentic spiritual realizations, in particular the state of full enlightenment.

The practice of Guru Yoga is a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide with faith and correct imagination, in order to receive his or her blessings. The practice of Mandala Offerings is an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land, with all its inhabitants as pure beings. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable to everyone.

This one-day retreat will be presided by Gen Kelsang Chodor

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

 
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Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith
Jun
4

Special Event ~ Offering Our Faith

Offering Our Faith

Prayers to the Holy Spiritual Guide

Annual Retreat in Honour of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Every day we remember the extraordinary kindness of Venerable Geshe-la, our Root Guru and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

But on the auspicious day of June 4th, at Kadampa centres around the world, with minds of rejoicing and gratitude, we offer him our faith through using the Special Prayer Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso from his Faithful Disciples and collecting our Guru’s name mantra in a one-day retreat.

There will then be three sessions of retreat using the prayer booklet The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land According to Highest Yoga Tantra and the Special Request Prayer. In the evening, the retreat will conclude with Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers.

Our Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Chodor will give a brief introduction to the retreat at the start of the 9am session.

This event is free of charge.

*Accommodations are available for those engaging in this retreat. The rooms are in limited quantity. For further information, please click here.*

 
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Nyungne Retreat ~ Special Purification & Fasting Practice
Apr
14
to Apr 15

Nyungne Retreat ~ Special Purification & Fasting Practice

Special Purification & Fasting Practice

Nyungne Retreat with Gen Kelsang Chodor

This two-day retreat, done in conjunction with Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara practice, is very powerful for purifying negative karma of body, speech, and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. This practice involves taking the Eight Mahayana precepts, a promise to avoid all non-virtue for 24 hours, combined with the practice of prostrations. Through this we improve our compassion and develop a pure and light heart.

This practice is done over two days. On the first day, it is customary to abstain from all meals apart from lunch at 12:30 p.m. On the second day, we engage in a complete fast, abstaining from all food and drink for 24 hours. This traditional retreat is offered each year around the 15th of April, Buddha's Enlightenment Day. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is open to everyone. *If this is your first time attending a Nyungne Retreat, please email: [email protected] to receive essential informations before the start of the retreat.*

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

**Vegetarian lunch available for purchase.

 
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