Welcome to the Northwest Dharma Celebration 2024!

 The Blessing Empowerment of Green Tara

 April 19 - 21

Green Tara

The Northwest Dharma Celebration is a special event held every year as a gathering of the Kadampa Buddhist Centers in the Pacific Northwest. This event was created by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, founder of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union, to provide an opportunity for people from all over the Northwest to gather together as a spiritual community to receive empowerments, Dharma teachings and engage in meditation retreat.

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About the teachings

Empowerment of Green Tara & Commentary to the 21 homages

Green Tara is a female enlightened being, the manifestation of the ultimate wisdom of all the Buddhas. She protects living beings from outer and inner obstacles and guides them to the attainment of all the stages of the path to enlightenment.

The twenty-one special verses of praise, or homage, to Tara are Buddha’s own speech and are considered to be actual Sutra. Through understanding the meaning of these verses we will draw closer to the twenty-one emanations of Tara and constantly receive special blessings and protection.

During the Northwest Dharma Celebration, Gen Kelsang Rigpa will grant the blessing empowerment of Buddha Green Tara and give teachings on the sublime twenty-one homages.

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About the Teachers

Gen Kelsang Rigpa

Gen Kelsang Rigpa is an American Buddhist monk, the Western US National Spiritual Director and the Resident Teacher at KMC-Hollywood. He is a close disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, having received lineage blessings and oral transmissions directly from him.

Gen Rigpa’s heartfelt and practical teachings are presented with warmth and humor, making them accessible to everyone. He shows the joy of living a spiritual life, and is an inspiring example of Buddhism in practice. Through his clear presentation, he is able to help students discover for themselves how to integrate these timeless teachings into our modern world, making everyday life joyful and meaningful.

 

 

Gen Kelsang Rinzin   

Gen Rinzin was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2004 and taught at Heruka Buddhist Center in Fort Collins, Colorado for 15 years and was appointed to the Resident Teacher position at Kadampa Meditation Center Washington in October 2020. Gen Rinzin communicates his love of Dharma with a down-to-earth approach and humor that helps the listener appreciate and understand the teachings and put them into practice. 

 

Kadam Heather Rocklin

Kadam Heather has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso since March 1998. A working mother of a 9-year-old, Kadam Heather shares Buddha’s teachings with great warmth and kindness, showing how Buddha’s teachings are practical in everyday life and beneficial for everyone!

Kadam Heather has been the Resident Teacher of Mahasiddha Kadampa Buddhist Center in Portland since 2006.

 

Event Schedule 

Friday, April 19

5:30-7:00 pm  Dinner option, $8
7:30-9:00 pm Introduction

SATURDAY, April 20

7:30-8:30 am Breakfast bar option, $8
9:00-10:00 am Meditation
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Empowerment
1:00-2:30 pm Lunch
3:30-5:00 pm Commentary
5:30-6:30 pm Black bean burger BBQ $8
7:00-8:00 pm WFJ with Tsog

SUNDAY, April 21

7:30-8:30 am  Breakfast bar option, $8
9:00-10:00 am Meditation
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Commentary
12:30-2:00 pm Lunch
2:30-4:00 pm Commentary

 

Donations for Offerings

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Attendance Options 

IN-PERSON

Join people from all around the Northwest who will gather in person to attend this very special event. Being able to listen to authentic Dharma teachings in a blessed Temple is an incredibly profound and meaningful experience. You will be able to connect with Sangha friends from all around the state in-person, and enjoy the unique and beautiful temple which is one of the very few Temples that does not have the large golden Buddha statues behind glass. Also enjoy the World Peace Cafe, shop, and beautiful Ballard neighborhood.

ONLINE
The Northwest Dharma Celebration will be LiveStreamed.
RECORDINGS
Audio recordings may be purchased. You must attend (in-person or online) in order to receive the recordings.
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Accommodation

Would you like accommodation while at the NWDC?

Choices include:

    • Twin beds in a dormitory style at the temple. Linens supplied with access to a shared bathroom. $80
      • Sleeping in the meditation room. BYO sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Access to shower during am or pm. $40
          2 Nights only. 

          Each accommodation choice includes breakfast at the temple on Saturday and Sunday. 

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          Additional Meals

          Lunches are included in registration fee.

          You can purchase dinner on Friday or Saturday, or breakfast on Saturday or Sunday for $8 each. 

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