Special events

A meditation workshop

Our problems are like bad weather in the mind, or like clouds in the sky. We all know that when the storms disappear and the clouds fade away, the sky becomes clear, still and bright. We don’t have to make the sky like that; it is like always like that, before and after the stormy weather.

In the same way our mind always has the potential to be peaceful, clear and positive. That is its true nature. We don’t have to force peace into our mind. We just have to understand our own mind and how to uncover its natural potential. 

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $20 (free for members). Livestream available for members.

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI

Enjoy a beautiful talk on love and a guided meditation by our resident teacher Gen Kelsang Dorje. This is followed by a delectable vegetarian brunch. In this world with so much conflict and pain, we learn how to harness the power of our love to create real inner peace and harmony in our world.

This is a community event and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend or meet a new one! 

Menu coming soon!

“Love is the real nuclear bomb that destroys all our enemies, because when we love all living beings, we have no enemies.”

– Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $30
This is an in-person event only. Please register by Feb. 7 if possible.

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St., Madison, WI 53713

Exploring the magical practice of taking and giving

Join us for a half-day retreat to practice transforming the simple act of breathing into a powerful healing technique known as ‘taking and giving’ taught by Buddha. This ancient healing technique has the power to improve mental peace and happiness and is especially beneficial in situations where we may feel powerless to help others or to overcome adversity. 

“Taking, motivated by compassion, is an extremely pure mind, unstained by self-cherishing. When our mind is pure, this in turn makes all our actions pure so that we become a pure being.”

How to Transform Your Life – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $20 (free for members)
Livestream available for members

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI

With Gen Kelsang Dorje

Without Buddha’s kindness we would not know the real causes of happiness or the real causes of suffering. Buddha taught us how all happiness and suffering depend upon the mind. He showed us how to abandon those states of mind that cause suffering and cultivate those states of mind that cause happiness.The prayer asks for wisdom to dispel mental darkness and heal one’s mind, acknowledging Buddha as the source of happiness and the guide to enlightenment. In other words, he taught us perfect methods for overcoming suffering and attaining happiness.

How kind Buddha is!

This beautiful prayer is recited during every class at our precious center. In this half-day retreat, Gen Kelsang Dorje will guide us through the meaning of this prayer and we can allow the inspiration to influence our life. Everyone welcome! 

Liberating Prayer

PRAISE TO BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI

Composed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso at Manjushri Centre, England, June 2001
© Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and New Kadampa Tradition 2001

Printout of this prayer can be purchased at our center’s bookstore or through Tharpa publications.

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $20 (members free; livestream available for members)

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI

The Four Seals are four special insights into reality that enable us to experience the liberating wisdom of Sutra Mahamudra, the true nature of things. During this special day course we will explore profound topics such as impermanence, the nature of the mind, the source of suffering and the truth of ultimate reality, emptiness. Through teachings and guided meditations, we will start to experience the peace and freedom that comes from this wisdom. 

Everyone is welcome to attend. The teachings are suitable for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the teachings on Mahamudra as well as the beginner.

Look forward to seeing you! 

About the teacher

Gen Kelsang Dorje is the resident teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Madison. As the resident teacher Gen Dorje is responsible for teaching and leading meditation classes, retreats, and workshops at the center and in branch locations. He has received extensive training under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition. Gen Dorje is known for his warmth and humor in making Buddha’s teachings relevant to our modern life. He is an inspiring example of how to integrate these teachings into a joyful life and is committed to helping people improve their daily lives through meditation and mindfulness.

Registration details

Cost: $30 non-members (members free)
Lunch is available for an additional $15.

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI 53713

Our mind is like the sky—vast, clear, and peaceful by nature. But just as the sky can be temporarily obscured by clouds or storms, our mind can be overshadowed by problems, anxiety, or emotional turbulence. This course will guide us to gently uncover the natural clarity and stillness that already exists within.

In this retreat, you will be introduced to three guided meditations:

Overcoming Physical Appearances
Step back from distractions and focus inward, laying the foundation for more profound meditation.

Discovering the Clarity of Your Mind
Explore the natural clarity of your mind, uncovering its boundless and peaceful potential.

Meditating on the Root Mind
Connect with your root mind, the source of lasting inner peace and happiness.

About the teacher

Lowanna Mobley has been a longtime student of our Foundation Program (FP), and serves as our center’s Education Program Coordinator. She is known for her enthusiasm and loving nature, bringing humor and genuine insight to her teaching.

Registration details

Cost: $30 non-members (free for members)
Lunch is an additional $15.

Members: If you are livestreaming, no need to register in advance! Just go to the member livestream page to access the class.

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Madison
1825 S Park St, Madison, WI