Amitabha Kadampa Meditation Centre

03/02/2026

Buddha Amitayus Retreat - guided and free
This Sunday 8 February
with Kadam Birgit

Long life, merit and wisdom. In this special retreat we have the opportunity to increase our lifespan, merit and wisdom through the special meditation practice of Buddha Amitayus.

Our human life is our most precious possession because it gives us the opportunity to improve ourselves and attain the supreme happiness of enlightenment.
We therefore need a long and healthy life.
To engage successfully in spiritual practice we also need wisdom, as well as the merit or good fortune that gives our mind the strength to support the growth of inner realisations.
Amitayus is the Buddha of long life, merit and wisdom.

By engaging in Amitayus practice, we can develop these qualities and eventually attain the deathless state of enlightenment.
We can also use this practice to help remove obstacles endangering the lives of others, especially our close friends and family.

SESSION TIMES
10 – 11.15am
12 – 1.15pm
3 – 4.15pm

DETAILS
Coffee, tea and snacks are provided. Please bring your own vegetarian lunch if you are staying for the whole day.

WHERE
Amitabha Kadampa Meditation Centre
174 Albert Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 355-3524

www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

28/01/2026

This weekend we held our yearly Lamrim summer weekend retreat at Sixtus Lodge in the Ruahine Ranges, based on Advice from Atisha's Heart.
We had a great time; meditating, being partly silent, enjoying lovely food, each other's company, walks in the rain.
Yes, the fire was on during our NZ summer.
A big thank you to everyone who attended, who made it possible and especially to Gen la Jampa and Gen la Dekyong for the teachings at the International Festival.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our precious Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe la: thank you so much!

20/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AYascysFQ/

15/01/2026

Meditate – Rest – Relax
Summer Weekend Retreat with Kadam Birgit
23 – 26 January, 2026
Sixtus Lodge in Apiti

Price: $220, $160 unwaged (price includes, teachings, accommodation and meals)
Book: https://meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org/summer-weekend-retreat-2026/

ABOUT THIS EVENT
‘When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within’ – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Join us for this year’s summer weekend retreat. Start your daily life feeling refreshed after the holidays by learning how to meditate and how to practise these meditations in your daily life.
Since 2005 Amitabha Centre’s annual summer retreat has been a restorative and peaceful time.
A time to engage in a guided retreat in a tranquil place: unhurried, relaxed and in a sincere way. From 23 – 26 January 2026,

Kadam Birgit will guide contemplations and meditations on the stages of the path, also called Lamrim.
We’ll be using meditations, based on Advice from Atisha’s Heart, as presented by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
‘Lamrim’ (stages of the path) is a special presentation of Buddha’s teachings, where all the essential practices are arranged in a progression so that, through daily meditation, we can gradually increase the capacity of our mind.

This retreat will help us gain familiarity with all the stages and set us up for a successful meditation practice throughout the year ahead.

WHAT TO EXPECT
This retreat is based on Buddha’s teachings on the mind, but you do not need to be a Buddhist to attend, or to benefit from them. There is no physical exercise involved and you can choose to sit either in a chair or on a cushion. This retreat is suitable for all levels of experience.

WHERE
The retreat will be held at Sixtus Lodge Outdoor Education Centre in Apiti.

Book now: https://meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org/summer-weekend-retreat-2026/

Our final classes of the year are finishing. We will then take a break over the holidays to enjoy the New Zealand Festival and our Summer Weekend Retreat.

15/12/2025

On Saturday we held our annual end of year lunch with Secret Santa.
We had a great time, and the weather was beautiful.
Kadam Birgit thanked everyone for another successful year in looking after the centre and helping spread the Dharma in Palmerston North.
She especially thanked Venerable Geshe la to make all this available to us.
We are so fortunate!

07/12/2025

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

How to Really Relax - Know your Mind - drop in class topic.
At the centre in Palmerston North on Wednesday evening and Thursday at lunchtime, at the branch classes in Ashhurst and Whanganui. Mondays in Bulls.
Last classes of the year.

See website for more information: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

MONDAY: How to Really Relax -Know your Mind, 7 - 8pm at Te Matapihi centre in Bulls with Kelsang Phunwang

TUESDAY: FP programme, 6.30 - 9pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit

WEDNESDAY: How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 7 - 8.15pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments

THURSDAY: -How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 10 - 11am at the Village Valley Centre in Ashhurst with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 12.15 - 12.45pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax Mind, 6 - 7pm at the Arts Centre in Whanganui with Kadam Birgit

SATURDAY: Heart Jewel, 8.30 - 9.45am at the centre, followed by refreshments

SUNDAY: - Prayers for World Peace, 7 - 8pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang and David Kelly

more info: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

On the surface of a stormy ocean, there are waves and there can be a lot of turbulence. But the deeper we go below the surface, the more still waters become regardless of the weather at the surface. By looking within our own mind, we can find similar stillness and refuge from the stress and chaos of...

05/12/2025

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05/12/2025

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𝗡𝗭 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟳 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥

Don't miss out on the early bird discount for this enriching Festival. It will focus on how to transform each and every situation into powerful opportunities for spiritual growth and finally peaceful states of mind. Early bird discounts for booking end on Sunday 7 December, so book your summer spiritual holiday now and look forward to a meaningful time away.

https://nzfestival.org

01/12/2025

30/11/2025

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

How to Really Relax - Know your Mind - drop in class topic.
At the centre in Palmerston North on Wednesday evening and Thursday at lunchtime, at the branch classes in Ashhurst and Whanganui. Mondays in Bulls.

See website for more information: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

MONDAY: How to Really Relax -Know your Mind, 7 - 8pm at Te Matapihi centre in Bulls with Kelsang Phunwang

TUESDAY: FP programme, 6.30 - 9pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit

WEDNESDAY: How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 7 - 8.15pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments

THURSDAY: -How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 10 - 11am at the Village Valley Centre in Ashhurst with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 12.15 - 12.45pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax Mind, 6 - 7pm at the Arts Centre in Whanganui with Kadam Birgit

SATURDAY: Wishfulfilling Jewel, 8.30 - 9.45am at the centre, followed by refreshments

SUNDAY: - the Power of Slowing down, 10am - 1pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit
- Prayers for World Peace, 7 - 8pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang and David Kelly

more info: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

26/11/2025

The Power of Slowing Down
Half day meditation course,
Sunday 7 December, 10am - 1pm
Amitabha KMC
With Kadam Birgit
Book: https://meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org/the-power-of-slowing-down/

It seems fair to say that we’re in a distraction crisis these days. Or perhaps you’ve been too distracted to notice. The world seems to be (is!) moving ever and ever faster, throwing more and more things into our path. And our natural instinct is to move just as fast in order to keep up. And good luck with that.

Buddha is a b-i-g fan of the Slow Down Movement.

When we slow down in meditation, for example, we give ourself the chance to absorb. When we slow down in daily life, we give ourself the chance to respond to people, events, thoughts, etc. with wisdom and empathy. We regain crucial control over our own mind and our own actions. If you feel that your world is slipping out of your control, please join us for some teachings on Buddha’s advice for how to shift into a lower gear, in life and in meditation.

Everyone is welcome.

23/11/2025

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

How to Really Relax - Know your Mind - drop in class topic.
At the centre in Palmerston North on Wednesday evening and Thursday at lunchtime, at the branch classes in Ashhurst and Whanganui. Mondays in Bulls.

See website for more information: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org

MONDAY: How to Really Relax -Know your Mind, 7 - 8pm at Te Matapihi centre in Bulls with Kelsang Phunwang

TUESDAY: FP programme, 6.30 - 9pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit

WEDNESDAY: How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 7 - 8.15pm at the centre with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments

THURSDAY: -How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 10 - 11am at the Village Valley Centre in Ashhurst with Kadam Birgit, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax - Know your Mind, 12.15 - 12.45pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang, followed by refreshments
-How to Really Relax Mind, 6 - 7pm at the Arts Centre in Whanganui with Kadam Birgit

SATURDAY: Heart Jewel, 8.30 - 9.45am at the centre, followed by refreshments

SUNDAY: - Prayers for World Peace, 7 - 8pm at the centre with Kelsang Phunwang and David Kelly

more info: www.meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org