01. Introduction
2025.07.25
For auspiciousness, begin with the special message from Geshe-la, given to us by Ven Geshe-la at the Spring Festival 2020:
Hello to the International Kadampa Community. I would like to offer you the following message based on the Stories of Rebirth by Arya Sura. I would like to explain the benefits of listening to Dharma Teachings, which are:
- Listening to Dharma teachings is a great light that eliminates the darkness of our own and others’ ignorance.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is the best wealth that cannot be stolen by thieves and that gives real meaning to our human life.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is a weapon that destroys our enemy of confusion.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is our best friend who will never deceive us and from whom we receive our best advice.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is a relative and friend who remains loyal even when we are impoverished.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is the supreme medicine that cures the disease of uncontrolled desire, anger and ignorance.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is a powerful opponent that destroys all faults.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is the best treasure because it is the foundation of all fame and resources.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is the best gift through which we can benefit all living beings.
- Listening to Dharma teachings is the best method to make countless living beings happy. Please contemplate, memorise, and put in to practice day by day, month by month, year by year. I will also pray for you and your families.
With much love, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
We should always think, this is personal advice. This special message is for me. It has profound meaning, which will have a huge impact in your life now and also in future lives. They come from Venerable Geshe-la’s heart. We are an international Kadampa family, a union - one body. We have the same aim as our holy spiritual guide. We can think about how fortunate we are to be part of this family and to engage in this very meaningful holiday, which will bring huge benefit to ourself and the whole world.
You can’t give a better gift than Dharma. Giving Dharma teachings, Dharma advice, most importantly, giving our example as a Dharma practitioner who is putting the instructions into practice, solving our problems with Dharma, so that we are happy all the time. This is very rare and precious to be an example in the world in this way. It is very important.
Geshe-la says again and again:
Putting the instructions into practice is the best way to repay Geshe-la’s kindness.