Ontario Dharma Celebration 2024

Nov 29 - Dec 1 ~ Toronto

The Source of Happiness and Goodness

Buddha Shakyamuni empowerment with commentary to Liberating Prayer ~ with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

For Buddhists, faith in Buddha Shakyamuni is their spiritual life. To help us to develop and maintain strong faith in Buddha, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche composed the beautiful praise to Buddha Shakyamuni called Liberating Prayer.  Understanding and contemplating its meaning is the best method to develop faith in Buddha and his teachings, which is the root of all Dharma realizations.

During the Celebration, Gen-la will grant the empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni and give teachings on Liberating Prayer.

Everybody welcome!

Celebration Teacher
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) National Spiritual Director of Canada. He is also the Resident Teacher of the International Kadampa Retreat Centre (IKRC) Grand Canyon and the Deputy Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU. As a senior NKT Teacher, Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for many years. Under Geshe-la’s guidance, he has taught at many centres and events around the world. Gen-la is well-loved for his clear, inspiring teachings and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.

Introduction Teacher
Gen Kelsang Chodor

Gen Kelsang Chodor is the 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-three years.  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.  During the Celebration, Gen Chodor will be teaching the Friday evening introduction.

Meditation Teacher
Gen Kelsang Suma

Gen Kelsang Suma is the Resident Teacher of Jampa Ling Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Barrie. She has trained under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for almost 30 years. She is renowned for the warmth and clarity of her teachings, her deep, practical knowledge of Dharma, and her emphasis on the value and relevance of Buddha’s teachings to people’s everyday lives. During the Celebration, Gen Suma will be guiding the morning meditations on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Wednesday, November 27th
    7:30 - 9:00 pm: Public Talk with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa (tickets sold separately)

    Friday, November 29th
    11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Sojong with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa (for ordained people only)
    7:30 - 9:00 pm: Introduction with Gen Kelsang Chodor

    Saturday, November 30th
    9:00 - 9:45 am: Meditation with Gen Kelsang Suma
    11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Empowerment with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
    4:00 - 5:30 pm: Teaching with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
    7:30 - 8:30 pm: Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers with Tsog

    Sunday, December 1st
    9:00 - 10:00 am: Meditation with Gen Kelsang Suma
    11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Teaching with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
    3:00 - 4:30 pm: Teaching with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

  • Is Peace Possible?

    A Public Talk with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa ~ Wednesday, Nov 27th: 7:30 - 9:00 pm ~ at KMC Canada

    In an increasingly hectic and uncertain world, our experience of happiness is fleeting and we find many reasons to be anxious or stressed. We may wonder, “Is peace possible?” It definitely is, but first we need to establish it within our own mind.

    In this public talk you will learn:

    • what is the real source of happiness

    • why meditation is important for everyone

    • how to create both inner and outer peace

    Bookings for this public talk are done separately from the Celebration bookings. To book, please use this link: www.meditateintoronto.org

  • IN PERSON CELEBRATION

    Adults
    • Full Celebration (Nov 29-Dec 1): $175
    • Introduction: Friday, Nov 29: $25
    • Single day: Saturday, Nov 30: $100
    • Single day: Sunday, Dec 1: $70

    Children
    • 0-7 years: no charge
    • 8-15 years: 50% discount
    • 16+ years: full adult price

    Audio Recordings
    • Full Celebration (Nov 29-Dec 1): $35
    • Introduction: Friday, Nov 29: $5
    • Single day: Saturday, Nov 30: $15
    • Single day: Sunday, Dec 1: $15

    Public Talk (Adult)
    • Regular price: $35
    • Early bird price: $25 (booking before Nov 21)

    Public Talk (Children):
    • 0-7 years: no charge
    • 8-15 years: 50% discount
    • 16+ years: full adult price

    ONLINE CELEBRATION

    Adults
    • Full Celebration: $175

    Children
    • 0-7 years: no charge
    • 8-15 years: 50% discount
    • 16+ years: full adult price

    Audio Recordings
    • Full Celebration: $35

    Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony.

    You must have booked and attended a session in order to receive the audio recording of that session. Recordings are for the sole use of the registered recipient and may not be shared.

    All profits generated by this Celebration will go to the International Temples Project (click here for more information).

  • The Celebration will be held at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, the Canadian National Temple of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

    This Temple was founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and is located in the heart of the city of Toronto, on a quiet street in the neighbourhood of ‘Little Italy’.  It is an oasis of peace in the heart of the busy city.

    631 Crawford St.
    Toronto, Ontario
    M6G 3K1

    Location & Directions (Google Maps)

  • Celebration Meal Ticket
    The Celebration Meal Ticket must be purchased when you book and offers the option to pre-book lunches throughout the Celebration. For those with onsite accommodation, breakfast is included in the accommodation rate.  Meals are either vegetarian, which may include eggs and dairy, or vegan-gluten free. Please select which option you require when making your booking.

    Meal Fees - Adult
    Friday, Nov 29: lunch: $15
    Saturday, Nov 30: lunch: $15
    Sunday, Dec 1: lunch: $15

    Meal Fees - Children
    • 0-6 years: no charge                          
    • 7-12 years: 50% discount               
    • 13+ years: full adult price

    *Allergens: Please be aware that despite trying our best to avoid cross-contamination during food preparation, we cannot guarantee a total absence of gluten cross-contamination in our gluten free meals. Regrettably, we are unable to provide for any other dietary needs. An ingredient and allergen list will be available for all meals offered.

    World Peace Café
    There will be a Celebration World Peace Café offering a selection of savoury snacks, cakes and pastries as well as coffees, teas, hot chocolate and cold drinks.

    Celebration Shop
    The Celebration Shop will sell a range of healthy snacks which include gluten free options, as well as chips, chocolate, and items for empowerment offerings and tsog offerings.

  • more information coming soon...

  • Arrival & Registration
    You are required to show your booking confirmation letter (either digital or printed) to gain access to the Celebration site. If unable to show your confirmation letter, you will be required to show some form of photographic identification (ie. Passport or Driver’s License/ID card) in order to complete your registration onsite.

    On Friday, Nov 29, Registration will be open from 4:00 to 7:15 pm and will be located at the front door of the Temple. On Saturday, Nov 30, registration will be open from 8:15 to 8:45 am and from 10:00 to 10:45 am. Please use the side door entrance on Saturday.

    Parking
    Parking is not available on Crawford Street. We ask that you not park on Crawford Street. You may get a ticket as it is complaint driven and the residents have limited space for their own street parking. You can look for street parking in other areas. However, you may be subject to a ticket if you park more than 3 hours during the day. There is no overnight parking on any nearby street without a permit. We recommend that you take transit (TTC). Click here for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) website.

    Temporary day-parking spots
    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
    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 Toronto permit parking program. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common. If you choose this option, please avoid parking on Crawford Street, for the reasons mentioned above. For more information, please click here.

    Security
    All participants are required to wear a Celebration Pass at all times. Please cooperate fully with this requirement for the safety and smooth running of the Celebration. Please bring essential items only and keep your valuables with you at all times. KMC Canada does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal items.

    Photography
    Photography, video recording or tape recording are not permitted inside the venue during the sessions unless you have obtained special authorization from the Celebration organizers. 

  • more information coming soon...

  • more information coming soon...

  • The Celebration is organized and run by volunteers. There are many opportunities and ways in which you can help, such as preparing food, serving, clearing, cleaning, setting up, helping in the café or bookshop.  Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet other Kadampas from across Ontario. Your contribution of time and energy is an important part of making the Celebration happen and is deeply appreciated. Please consider stopping by the volunteering desk in the registration area to find out how you can help, or contact your local centre for more information.

  • Hard of hearing
    Special headphones are available in the main meditation room for those who are hard of hearing.  If you require such headphones, please select this option at the time of booking. Please book by November 22nd as the special headphones are available in limited quantity.

    After November 22nd, it may still be possible to book some hard of hearing headphones, but please contact: registration@kadampa.ca as soon as possible to inquire about availability. We will try to accommodate your request to the best of our ability.

    Other Special Needs
    The Temple has a wheelchair accessible bathroom and an elevator which make the essential areas of the building fully accessible: the Main Meditation Room, the World Peace Café, the Bookstore & Tharpa Shop.

    Please notify us in advance by email or letter if you have special needs. In particular, if you are a wheelchair user, or require additional seating space in the Temple, please indicate this on your booking form in the special needs section. This will help us to allocate the correct space for you in the Temple.

    If you require more information about access or other facilities, please email the welfare team who will do their best to assist you at registration@kadampa.ca.

  • Children and young adults are welcome to attend the Celebration. However, for their safety and well-being, some special conditions apply. Please note that two responsible adult carers must be nominated for all children’s bookings if the child is 15 years old and under. Bookings will only be confirmed on receipt of the required photographs of the two adult carers.

    Due to the public nature of the Celebration, children’s safety and welfare is the responsibility of their nominated responsible adult carers at all times.  KMC Canada does not assume responsibility for children attending the Celebration. Children (of all ages) must be under adult supervision at all times.

    Rates for Children

    Celebration
    • 0-7 years: no charge
    • 8-15 years: 50% discount
    • 16+ years: full adult price

    Meals
    • 0-6 years: no charge                          
    • 7-12 years: 50% discount               
    • 13+ years: full adult price

    Celebration Passes
    To help ensure the safety of your child, and so that they can be easily reunited with their carers in case difficulties arise, passes for children under 16 will display photographs and the names of their two nominated responsible adult carers. Under 16’s bookings can only be confirmed when the required photographs have been received. Because these passes are prepared in advance, you must provide these photos prior to your arrival.

  • The event is organized and hosted by Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada (KMC Canada), a registered charity (charity # 861356970 RR0001).

    Registration
    Pre-registration is necessary and full payment must be received prior to arrival at the Celebration.

    Booking Confirmation & ID
    You will receive an email confirming the details of your booking and payment. Please keep this safe as you will be required to show either a paper or digital copy upon arrival. If unable to show your confirmation letter, you will be required to show some form of photographic identification (ie. Passport or Driver’s License/ID card) in order to complete your registration onsite.

    Bookings cannot be transferred to another person.

    Payment & Refund Policies
    All dates / times refer to Eastern Time (ET).

    KMC Canada has contracts with many suppliers; therefore, the following conditions apply:

    Celebration Fee
    • Full payment is required at time of booking.
    • Cancellations: 25% of the Celebration fee is non-refundable in the case of cancellations up to 48 hours before the start of the Celebration (7:30 p.m. ET, November 27, 2024). After this, the Celebration fee is fully non-refundable.

    Meals
    Meals must be purchased prior to the Celebration.
    • Full payment is required at time of booking.
    • Cancellations: 25% of the meal fee is non-refundable in case of cancellations up to 1 week before the start of the Celebration (7:30 p.m. ET, November 22, 2024). After this, the meals are fully non-refundable.

    Any non-refunded fees arising from cancellations are donated to the NKT-IKBU International Temples Project.

    Exceptions may be made in cases of sickness or bereavement. You should apply by e-mail to the KMC Canada Admin Director at: admin@kadampa.ca within 2 weeks of the end of the Celebration. This applies to the Celebration fee only and does not apply to meals.

    Audio Recordings
    Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony. They can be purchased during the Celebration at the shop, or by e-mailing registration@kadampa.ca.

    You must have booked and attended a session in order to receive the audio recording of that session. Recordings are for the sole use of the registered recipient and may not be shared.

  • For all questions & inquiries, please contact us by email at: registration@kadampa.ca.