Sat, Feb 15 | 10am

Price: $50 | Empowerments are not included in memberships

During this very special event, our resident teacher Gen Kelsang Lhadron will grant the blessing empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni. By receiving this empowerment we make a deep personal connection with Buddha that leads us to spiritual protection from all suffering and problems, known as Buddhist refuge. Everyone is welcome!

Empowerment Schedule:
10am-12pm: Empowerment
2-3:15pm: Teaching and meditation
3:30-4:30pm: Meditation and practice

“An empowerment bestows upon us special blessings that heal our mental continuum and awaken our Buddha nature.” — Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

 

Who is Buddha Shakyamuni?

Buddha Shakyamuni is the founder of Buddhism in this world. In general, Buddha means "Awakened One," someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions and has become a compassionate refuge and protector for all living beings.

Buddha Shakyamuni was born as a royal prince in 624 BC in a place called Lumbini (now part of Nepal). He showed the manner of accomplishing enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in India in 589 BC. Buddha gave eighty-four thousand teachings, and from these precious teachings Buddhism developed in this world.

Though his human body passed away, Buddha Shakyamuni's enlightened mind remains with us, emanating as spiritual guides and other beneficial things and constantly bestowing blessings on all living beings.

Compassionate Refuge and Protector

Through his enlightened actions, Buddha is actively liberating us from suffering permanently. If we come to rely upon him through the practice of Buddhist refuge, we will become our own and other's protector, transforming all our fear and anxiety into real strength and confidence, and progressing swiftly towards enlightenment.

Fill your heart with the sublime sunshine of Buddha's blessings.

Become your own and others' protector through relying on Buddha.

Learn how to transform fear and anxiety into strength and confidence.

Every living being has the potential to become a Buddha, someone who has completely purified his or her mind of all faults and limitations and has brought all good qualities to perfection. Our mind is like a cloudy sky, in essence clear and pure but overcast by the clouds of delusions.

“Just as the thickest clouds eventually disperse, so too even the heaviest delusions can be removed from our mind. Delusions such as hatred, greed, and ignorance are not intrinsic parts of the mind. If we apply the appropriate methods they can be completely eliminated, and we shall experience the supreme happiness of full enlightenment.”

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, The New Eight Steps to Happines.

About the Teacher

Led by Gen Lhadron, an American Buddhist nun and resident teacher at KMC San Diego. Gen Lhadron’s sincere teachings are presented with humor and practical examples that make them accessible to everyone. Through her kindness and enthusiasm for meditation practice, she provides an inspiring example of a modern Buddhist practitioner for our society. Gen Lhadron has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism since 2001.