Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa

In our busy modern lives, true peace and lasting happiness often feel out of reach. This course gently guides you to cultivate deep faith—like pure eyes that reveal a world beyond ordinary suffering—as the foundation for spiritual growth. You'll explore how belief in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) opens the door to your own infinite potential, while wisdom—the virtuous intelligence that realizes the true nature of reality—cuts through confusion and delusion to bring clarity and freedom.

This is a perfect preparation for the refuge retreat that follows, April 19-23, which will be partially guided by Gen Thekchen. Visit meditateinottawa.org for more info about this retreat.

Course Schedule

10-11.15 - Teaching and meditation

11.15-11.45 - Break and refreshments

11.45-1pm - Teaching and meditation

This course will be taught by Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen, who is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Kadampa Buddhist monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a simple, profound, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.

Pre-registration is recommended, but you can also register at the door when you arrive.

In these classes we'll consider how important a peaceful mind can be when we encounter the ever-changing experiences of daily life.

We'll learn how to practise reliable methods for developing peaceful minds, both in and out of meditation. In doing this, we'll gain our own experience of applying the methods to reduce our own mental agitation & negativity, and increase our clarity from within.

Then, with a calm, clear mind we become able to make more effective decisions - in this way, our thoughts will start to influence our actions in the most wonderful, positive way.

Each class will include a practical teaching and two guided meditations. There will be time for questions afterwards, and refreshments will be served. Totally suitable for beginners - everyone is welcome!

These Sunday morning classes are taught by Jane Douglas. Jane has studied and practised Buddhism for over thirty years, and has taught for numerous years. She enjoys giving her vast experience of Buddha's teachings to others.

7-8.30pm - GP class

Wednesday April 22

8-9.30am - Guided retreat session

10-11.30pm - Unguided retreat session

1:30-3pm - Unguided retreat session

7-8:15pm - GP class

Thursday, April 23

8-9.30am - Guided retreat session

10-11.30pm - Unguided retreat session

1:30-3pm - Unguided retreat session

Register in advance or at the door. We accept cash, debit or credit.

Cost: $60 for the entire retreat, $15 per day or $5 per session.
Free of charge for gold & platinum members.

Heart Jewel Prayers and Lamrim meditations are heart practices of the New Kadampa Tradition, (NKT). They are a daily practice at Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), Ottawa and all NKT centres throughout the world.

Through practicing Heart Jewel, we learn how to generate the right state of mind with which to meditate successfully. It empowers, purifies and, most importantly, blesses our mind, so that we can meditate at much deeper levels and gain actual experience in meditation.

Lamrim meditations are essential Buddhist meditations that guide us step-by-step along the stages of the path towards enlightenment.

From Monday to Friday each week, we offer Heart Jewel Prayers from 8 to 9:15 am with a Lamrim meditation, which will be guided by Gen Kelsang Thekchen, Kelsang Lamden or Kelsang Khandro.

Apr 1 ~ Tranquil Abiding - Clarity of Mind

Apr 2 ~ Emptiness of Body

Apr 3 ~ Emptiness of Self

Apr 6 ~ Reliance on the Spiritual Guide

Apr 7 ~ Precious Human Life

Apr 8 ~ Death and Imperamence

Apr 9 ~ Dangers of Lower Rebirth

Apr 10 ~ Refuge

Apr 13 ~ Karma

Apr 14 ~ no meditation ( Nyungnye Retreat)

Apr 15 ~ no meditation (Nyungnye Retreat)

Apr 16 ~ True Sufferings

Apr 17 ~ True Sufferings

Everyone can attend for free in-person at our centre, and all Centre Members can attend online using the emailed Zoom link.

DOOR LOCKED: Please note, for those who wish to attend in person at our centre at 879 Somerset St West, it is recommended to let us know that you plan to attend so that we can be sure that the door is unlocked. The door is often locked at that time of day for security reasons. If you arrive prior to 0800 and the door is locked, please knock at the side door, (main entrance), to let us know that you've arrived.

For more information, please contact education@meditateinottawa.org

The Heart Jewel Prayer Booklet

This short prayer booklet includes two practices revealed by the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri. By engaging in the special Guru yoga practised in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa we can purify negativity, accumulate merit and receive blessings, and attain a very special wisdom. By engaging in the special method for relying upon the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden we can overcome obstacles to our practice and create favourable conditions so that we can nurture and increase our spiritual realizations. These two practices are the very essence of Kadampa Buddhism. If we practise them regularly and sincerely, we will reap a rich harvest of pure Dharma realizations, and eventually come to experience the supreme joy of full enlightenment.

There are copies of this prayer booklet available for you to use or purchase at our Centre or you may purchase your own hard or electronic copy online Heart Jewel THARPA publications. The Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide from His Faithful Disciples that is also chanted is available as a free download.