Western Canada Dharma Celebration 2024
Nov 15-17 ~ Vancouver
What is the Western Canada Dharma Celebration?
The WCDC is a three day annual event held in Vancouver. It is open to everyone looking to learn lasting solutions to the problems of our contemporary world. It is a weekend filled with inspiring, enjoyable and practical explanations of Buddhist teaching and meditation. This year our theme is the source of happiness and goodness.
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 the 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 Zopa
Gen Kelsang Zopa is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Victoria. He has trained under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 25 years. He is admired by students because of the clarity and depth of his teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humour.
During the Celebration, Gen Zopa will be teaching the Friday evening introduction.
Meditation Teacher
Gen Kelsang Delek
Gen Kelsang Delek is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver. She has trained under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 30 years. She is renowned for her practical approach and clear explanations of even the most profound of Buddha’s teachings.
During the Celebration, Gen Delek will be guiding the morning meditations on Saturday and Sunday.
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Friday, November 15th
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 ZopaSaturday, November 16th
9:00 - 9:45 am: Meditation with Gen Kelsang Delek
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 TsogSunday, November 17th
9:00 - 10:00 am: Meditation with Gen Kelsang Delek
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?
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 7:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver
1833 Victoria Diversion, Vancouver, BC V5N 2K2 Canada (map)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.meditateinvancouver.org
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IN PERSON CELEBRATION
Adults
• Full Celebration (Nov 15-17): $175
• Introduction: Friday, Nov 15: $25
• Single day: Saturday, Nov 16: $100
• Single day: Sunday, Nov 17: $70Children
• 0-7 years: no charge
• 8-15 years: 50% discount
• 16+ years: full adult priceAudio Recordings
• Full Celebration (Nov 15-17): $35
• Introduction: Friday, Nov 15: $5
• Single day: Saturday, Nov 16: $15
• Single day: Sunday, Nov 17: $15ONLINE CELEBRATION
Adults
• Full Celebration: $175Children
• 0-7 years: no charge
• 8-15 years: 50% discount
• 16+ years: full adult priceAudio Recordings
• Full Celebration (Full Celebration): $35Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony.
All profits generated by this Celebration will go to the International Temples Project (click here for more information).
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The Celebration will take place at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver:
950 West 41st Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5Z 2N7Paid parking is available at the venue.
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Celebration Meal Tickets
The Celebration Meal Tickets must be purchased when you book and offers the option to pre-book lunches on Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday .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
Saturday, Nov 16: lunch: $18
Saturday, Nov 16: dinner: $18
Sunday, Nov 17: lunch: $18Meal 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. -
We are not offering on-site accommodation, however if you require assistance please feel free to contact us at info@wcdharmacelebration.org.
Below are suggested sites to search for accommodation, click on the link. To find a place close to the venue, enter "Jewish Community Centre, Vancouver, BC".
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Arrival & Registration
You are required to show your booking confirmation letter (either digital or printed) to gain access to the Celebration site. If you are not able 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.Parking
Paid parking is available at the venue.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 Vancouver does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal items.Photography
Photography, video recording or tape recording are not permitted in the venue during the sessions unless you have obtained special authorization from the Celebration organizers. -
A Tharpa Shop featuring books, sadhanas, offerings and other goodies will be open during the in-person celebration. An on-line shop will also be available soon.
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Attending the Celebration online
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON JOINING THE CELEBRATION ONLINE
It is recommended to attend the Western Canada Dharma Celebration 2024 in-person, but it will be possible to participate online if you are not able to attend in person.
What to book for
You will need to choose either in-person or online at the time of booking. You will not be able to book for both.Live streaming
For those who have booked to participate online, each teaching and meditation session will be available as a live streamAvailability
All sessions will be live-streamed and will follow the Celebration Schedule. The livestream sessions will also be recorded and recordings will be available online until midnight on November 24, 2024.
This excludes the Empowerment session which will only be available for 24 hours after the livestream.
Any questions please contact us at info@wcdharmacelebration.org. -
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 Western Canada. 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.
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The Venue is on the ground floor and the following are wheelchair accessible: the Main Meditation Room, the World Peace Café, the Bookstore, Tharpa Shop and a wheelchair accessible washroom.
Please notify us in advance by email or letter if you have other special needs, such as 'Hard of Hearing'. In particular, if you are a wheelchair user, or require additional seating space, 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 meditation room.
If you require more information about access or other facilities, please email the welfare team who will do their best to assist you at info@wcdharmacelebration.org.
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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 Vancouver 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 priceMeals
• 0-6 years: no charge
• 7-12 years: 50% discount
• 13+ years: full adult priceCelebration 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.
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The event is organized and hosted by Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver (KMC Vancouver), a registered charity (charity # 873 409 338 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 you are not able 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 Pacific Time. (PT).KMC Vancouver 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. PT, November 13, 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. EST, November 8, 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. Please contact admin@meditateinvancouver.org 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 info@wcdharmacelebration.orgYou 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.
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For all questions & inquiries, please contact us by email at: info@wcdharmacelebration.org
