Western Canada Dharma Celebration 2026
Nov 6 - 8 ~ Vancouver
Blessing Empowerment of Medicine Buddha
～ The Healing Power of Medicine Buddha ～
with Gen Kelsang Chodor
The Western Canada Dharma Celebration (WCDC) is a special annual event open to everyone, held in Vancouver at Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver (KMCV).
It’s a wonderful opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together to receive heartfelt advice, practical teachings and meditations. We can learn to live with greater meaning and joy by applying Buddha’s wisdom (Dharma) in daily life.
The focus of this year’s Dharma Celebrations will be the healing practice of Medicine Buddha. In these modern times, people suffer from so much pain, confusion, and conflict. We need a special reliable method to heal this pain—first from within our own mind, from which we can then develop the power to heal others. Medicine Buddha practice fulfills this aim, bringing us closer to world peace.
Gen Kelsang Chodor will grant the blessing empowerment of Medicine Buddha. The empowerment is a guided meditation and blessing ceremony that connects us directly with enlightened healing energy, awakening our potential for pure happiness and the ability to benefit others.
Please join us! Everyone is welcome. This is a most precious opportunity, not to be missed.
Celebration Teacher
Gen Kelsang Chodor is the National Spiritual Director of Canada and the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada in Toronto.
He is admired by students because of his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humour. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.
Gen Kelsang Chodor
Introduction Teacher
Gen Kelsang Khacho is the Resident Teacher of Akshobya KBC in Calgary. She is a modern Buddhist nun who has been a devoted student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for many years. She is known for her loving and compassionate nature, as well as her practical presentation of Buddha’s teachings.
She is an inspiring example of modern Buddhism in practice and is dedicated to helping everybody discover Buddha’s wisdom and find real, lasting happiness.
Gen Kelsang Khacho
Meditation Teacher
Gen Kelsang Zopa is the Resident Teacher at KMC Victoria. He has been presenting the profound and practical teachings of the Buddhist path for 30 years.
Renowned for the clarity and depth of his teachings, his warmth and practicality bring to life the ancient art of meditation.
Gen Kelsang Zopa
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Friday, November 6th
7:30 - 9:00 pm: IntroductionSaturday, November 7th
9:00 - 9:45 am: Meditation
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Empowerment with Gen Kelsang Chodor
3:00 - 4:30 pm: Teaching with Gen Kelsang Chodor
5:30 - 6:30 pm: Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers with TsogSunday, November 8th
9:00 - 10:00 am: Meditation
11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Teaching with Gen Kelsang Chodor
3:00 - 4:30 pm: Teaching with Gen Kelsang Chodor -
2 LOCATIONS CELEBRATION SITE MAP
MEDITATIONS, TEACHINGS & PUJA SESSIONS
Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver
1833 Victoria Diversion, Vancouver, BC V5N 2K2 Canada (map)REGISTRATION, CAFE, BOOKSHOP, MEALS & FREE PARKING
The Croatian Cultural Centre
3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4E4 (map) -
IN PERSON CELEBRATION
Adults
• Full Celebration (Nov 6-8): $195
• Introduction: Friday, Nov 6: $25
• Single day: Saturday, Nov 7: $100
• Single day: Sunday, Nov 8: $70Children
To register children ages 0-15 email registration@meditateinvancouver.org
• 0-7 years: no charge
• 8-15 years: 50% discount
• 16+ years: full adult priceAudio Recordings
• Full Celebration (Nov 6-8): $35
• Introduction: Friday, Nov 6: $5
• Single day: Saturday, Nov 7: $15
• Single day: Sunday, Nov 8: $15
Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony.ONLINE CELEBRATION
Adults
• Full Celebration: $195Audio Recordings
• Full Celebration (Full Celebration): $35Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony.
All profits generated by this Celebration will go to the International Temples Project (click here for more information).
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There will be a dedicated video link room for families. Children and young adults are welcome to attend the Celebration. However, for their safety and well-being, some special conditions apply. Please note that two responsible adult carers must be nominated for all children’s bookings if the child is 15 years old and under.
Due to the public nature of the Celebration, children’s safety and welfare is the responsibility of their nominated responsible adult carers at all times. KMC Vancouver does not assume responsibility for children attending the Celebration. Children (of all ages) must be under adult supervision at all times.
Celebration Passes
To help ensure the safety of your child, and so that they can be easily reunited with their carers in case difficulties arise, passes for children under 16 will need 2 carers, identified on the back of their passes.
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Attending the Celebration online
You can register online here.IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON JOINING THE CELEBRATION ONLINE
It is recommended to attend the Western Canada Dharma Celebration 2026 in-person, but it will be possible to participate online if you are not able to attend in person.
What to book for
You will need to choose either in-person or online at the time of booking. You will not be able to book for both.Live streaming
For those who have booked to participate online, each teaching and meditation session will be available as a live stream.Availability
All sessions will be live-streamed and will follow the Celebration Schedule. The livestream sessions will also be recorded and recordings will be available online until midnight on November 22, 2026.
This excludes the Empowerment session which will only be available for 24 hours after the livestream.
Any questions please contact us at registration@meditateinvancouver.org. -
We are not offering on-site accommodation, however if you require assistance please feel free to contact us at registration@meditateinvancouver.org.
Below are suggested sites to search for accommodation, click on the link.
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Celebration Meal Tickets
The Celebration Meal Tickets must be purchased when you book and offers the option to pre-book the lunch on Saturday.Meals are either vegetarian, which may include eggs and dairy, or vegan-gluten free. Please select which option you require when making your booking.
Meal Fees - Adult
Saturday, Nov 7: lunch: $18
Sunday, Nov 8: lunch: $18*Allergens: Please be aware that despite trying our best to avoid cross-contamination during food preparation, we cannot guarantee a total absence of gluten cross-contamination in our gluten free meals. Regrettably, we are unable to provide for any other dietary needs. An ingredient and allergen list will be available for all meals offered.
World Peace Café
There will be a Celebration World Peace Café offering a selection of savoury snacks, cakes and pastries as well as coffees, teas, hot chocolate and cold drinks.Celebration Shop
The Celebration Shop will sell a range of healthy snacks which include gluten free options, as well as chips, chocolate, and items for empowerment offerings and tsog offerings. -
A Tharpa Shop featuring books, sadhanas, offerings and other goodies will be open during the in-person celebration. An on-line shop will also be available.
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The Celebration is organized and run by volunteers. There are many opportunities and ways in which you can help, such as preparing food, serving, clearing, cleaning, setting up, helping in the café or bookshop. Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet other Kadampas from across Western Canada. Your contribution of time and energy is an important part of making the Celebration happen and is deeply appreciated. Please consider stopping by the volunteering desk in the registration area to find out how you can help, or contact your local centre for more information.
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The Venue is on the ground floor and the following are wheelchair accessible: the Main Meditation Room, the Celebration Cafe, the Bookstore, Tharpa Shop and a wheelchair accessible washroom.
Please notify us in advance by email or letter if you have other special needs, such as 'Hard of Hearing'. In particular, if you are a wheelchair user, or require additional seating space, please indicate this on your booking form in the special needs section. This will help us to allocate the correct space for you in the meditation room.
If you require more information about access or other facilities, please email the welfare team who will do their best to assist you at registration@meditateinvancouver.org.
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Healing with Every Breath - Discover the Transformative Power of Meditation
DATE & TIME
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver (see map)
Are you ready to discover a simple yet powerful way to reduce stress, open your heart, and find deeper peace—even in challenging times?
Special guest Teacher and Buddhist monk, Gen Chodor, will introduce one of the most renowned ancient meditations taught by Buddha, known as 'taking and giving'. In this practice we transform the simple act of breathing into a powerful practice that deepens our love and compassion for others and heals our mind from the source of our own suffering. This special practice helps us transform everyday difficulties into opportunities for genuine compassion and inner freedom.
The evening will be suitable for everyone, regardless of experience. It will include a talk and meditation followed by delicious refreshments. Everyone is welcome!FEES
$30 at the door or $20 early bird until Thursday Oct 29No previous experience of meditation is required. Everyone is welcome.
Bookings for this public talk can be done here
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The event is organized and hosted by Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver (KMC Vancouver), a registered charity (charity # 873 409 338 RR0001).
Registration
Pre-registration is necessary and full payment must be received prior to arrival at the Celebration.Booking Confirmation & ID
You will receive an email confirming the details of your booking and payment. Please keep this safe as you will be required to show either a paper or digital copy upon arrival. If you are not able to show your confirmation letter, you will be required to show some form of photographic identification (ie. Passport or Driver’s License/ID card) in order to complete your registration onsite.Bookings cannot be transferred to another person.
Payment & Refund Policies
All dates / times refer to Pacific Time. (PT).KMC Vancouver has contracts with many suppliers; therefore, the following conditions apply:
Celebration Fee
• Full payment is required at time of booking.
• Cancellations: 25% of the Celebration fee is non-refundable in the case of cancellations up to 48 hours before the start of the Celebration (7:30 p.m. PT, November 4, 2026). After this, the Celebration fee is fully non-refundable.Meals
Meals must be purchased prior to the Celebration.
• Full payment is required at time of booking.
• Cancellations: 25% of the meal fee is non-refundable in case of cancellations up to 1 week before the start of the Celebration (7:30 p.m. PST, October 30, 2026). After this, the meals are fully non-refundable.Any non-refunded fees arising from cancellations are donated to the NKT-IKBU International Temples Project.
Exceptions may be made in cases of sickness or bereavement. Please contact admin@meditateinvancouver.org within 2 weeks of the end of the Celebration. This applies to the Celebration fee only and does not apply to meals.
Audio Recordings
Audio recordings are of the teaching sessions only and do not include the guided meditations or the empowerment ceremony. They can be purchased during the Celebration at the shop, or by e-mailing registration@meditateinvancouver.org.You must have booked and attended a session in order to receive the audio recording of that session. Recordings are for the sole use of the registered recipient and may not be shared.
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For all questions & inquiries, please contact us by email at: registration@meditateinvancouver.org
