Special Christmas Retreat with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab and Kelsang Tharlam
Living Ultimate Reality
The Way of the Wisdom Buddhas
Tue 23rd - Sat 27th December 2025
Ultimate reality, or emptiness, is the way things really are. Buddha explained that normally we are under the influence of our mistaken perceptions of reality; these mistakes lead us into suffering and despair because we are so out of touch with how things really are. When we gain a deep knowledge of profound emptiness we can permanently liberate ourselves from all these mistakes and all types of problems and pain.
Buddha Shakyamuni, Manjushri, Je Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden are all manifestations of the mind of great bliss mixed with emptiness, their Dharmakaya, and they appear in various forms to teach living beings how to achieve the same experience. How wonderful!
On this relaxing holiday retreat we can follow advice on this vital topic coming from Je Tsongkhapa's heart as presented in his Three Principal Aspects of the Path. He clearly explains the correct view of emptiness and how to meditate on it. Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab will offer teachings and discussions and Kelsang Tharlam will offer the guided meditations with lots of time for rest and relaxation over these few days.
Everybody is welcome to join all or part of this retreat
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Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a retired General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and currently the Resident Teacher at Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre. He has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than forty years. His humility and pure example reflect his many years of reliance on his Spiritual Guide.
An internationally renowned Teacher, he is greatly admired as a sincere practitioner and a powerful Teacher. Gen-la is deeply respected throughout the Kadampa world as a sincere practitioner and powerful teacher.
Kelsang Tharlam
Kelsang Tharlam is an experienced teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), who studies on the Teacher Training Programme at Tara IKRC. She teaches with joy and humour, making the teachings practical and relevant to our daily life.
Accommodation
We offer comfortable, clean accommodation with beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere to help you gain the best experience of this special weekend retreat.
Along with 38 acres of woodland and parkland as well as our Tharpa bookstore and gift shop and World Peace Cafe - Tara IKRC is the perfect place to engage in meaningful retreat and relax
Christmas Retreat timetable
Tuesday 23rd December
7.30pm Introductory teaching session
Wednesay 24th December
9.00am-10.00am Morning meditation
11.00am-1.00pm Teaching
4.30pm-5.30pm Afternoon meditation
7.30pm-8.30pm Evening prayers Treasury of Wisdom (Manjushri puja)
Thursday 25th December
9.00am-10am Morning meditation
11.30am-1.00pm Teaching with Q&A
4.30pm-5.30pm Afternoon meditation
7.30pm Evening prayers Offering to the Spiritual Guide puja with tsog offering
Friday 26th December
9.00am-10.00am Morning meditation
11.30-1.00pm Teaching with Q&A
4.30pm-5.30pm Afternoon meditation
7.30pm Evening prayers Wishfulflilling Jewel puja with tsog offering
Saturday 27th December
9.00am-10.00am Morning meditation
11.30am-1.00pm Final Teaching with Q&A