General information

• Year at a glance
• Weekly Calendar
• Monthly Calendar
• Daily Prayers and Meditations
• 3 Study Programs

Classes & courses

• Parents and Tots Time
• Monday Night General Program
• Daytime Meditation Classes at the Temple
• Prayers for World Peace
• Dharma for Kids
• Special Events
• Public Talks

Retreats

• Annual Retreats
• Post Festival Retreats
• Preliminary Guide Retreats

Study programs

• The Foundation Program
• The Teacher Training Program

Special courses

• International Kadampa Festivals
• NKT US National Festival

Annual Retreats at the Kadampa Buddhist Temple

Retreat: A Method to Improve our Meditative Experience

• Amitayus Retreat
• Vajrayogini Close Retreat
• Lamrim Retreat
• Vajrayogini Retreat*
• Refuge Retreat
• Fasting and Purification Retreat
• 24-Hour Tara Retreat

During retreat we temporarily withdraw from our usual routines and activities and learn how to relax and develop peaceful, positive minds through meditation. In this way we create space in our mind and develop a fresh perspective on life. Many people find that the meditations they learn in retreat are of great long-term benefit to their life

Accommodation is available at KMC Washington for these retreats. Please visit our guest services page for more details

Amitayus Retreat
January 1, 2010

It is auspicious to recite the Yoga of Buddha Amitayus at the beginning of the New Year for blessings of long life, merit and wisdom.

Each session includes a teaching and guided meditation. Everyone is welcome to attend all or part of the retreat.

Session times:

11:00am-12:30pm, 2:00pm-3:15pm, 4:00pm-5:15pm

Stages of the Path (Lamrim) Retreat
January 3 - 16, 2010

The Lamrim, or Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, is a condensation of all of Buddha's teachings into 21 main meditation topics. During this two-week retreat, we have a chance to train in all these meditations based on the retreat instructions in The New Meditation Handbook. Meditating on Lamrim is the supreme way to solve our daily problems and find lasting happiness.

Vajrayogini Retreat*
January 17 - 31, 2010

During this Vajrayogini meditation retreat, we have a special chance to improve our understanding and experience of the 11 yogas of generation stage in the company of other practitioners.

* Open only to those with Vajrayogini Empowerment

Vajrayogini Close Retreat *
January 3-31, 2010

Fire Puja: March 6, 2010

Vajrayogini practitioners have an opportunity to engage in a qualified close retreat of actions in the blessed environment of Kadampa Meditation Center Washington and to enjoy the support of a group retreat. Please contact the Center if you are interested in engaging in this retreat.

* Open only to those with Vajrayogini Empowerment. Pre-registration is required.

Refuge Retreat
March 15-20, 2010

Going for refuge means finding protection from our problems by developing special Dharma realizations with the help of Buddha's blessings and encouragement from our Sangha friends. On this retreat we have a perfect opportunity to deepen our experience of refuge. When we practise refuge we are entering the Buddhist path to liberation and enlightenment.

Fasting and Purification Retreat
April 14 -15, 2010

Our compassionate heart, which brings great joy and meaning to our lives, can be awakened through this special purification practice of Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara. Over the course of two days, we will take the Mahayana precepts, fast, make prostrations, and engage in praises and requests to the Buddha of Compassion.

24-Hour Tara Retreat

Tara is the female Buddha of wisdom. She protects us from all internal and external dangers, provides us with all the necessary conditions for our spiritual training, and guides us and inspires us with her blessings.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all sessions. The retreat is free.