According to Buddha’s teachings, known as Dharma, suffering arises not from external conditions themselves but rather from how we respond to them. Suffering arises from the mind and therefore to protect ourselves from suffering we need to learn to train our mind by taking Buddha's teachings to heart and applying them to our own lives.

If we are to have lasting success in this training we need to decide to fully engage in this process. We can find protection from the suffering of this life and our future lives by going for heartfelt refuge in the practice of Dharma. This in turn depends upon our trust in the teachings and blessings of Buddha and the support and friendship of Sangha, the spiritual community. This refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha or the Three Jewels, is what characterizes the Buddhist approach to life.

In January 2025, guest teacher Kadam Lucy will lead a three-week preliminary guide retreat on the practice of Going for refuge. For those who are interested, this is an opportunity to collect 100,000 refuge mantras "I and all sentient beings until we achieve enlightenment go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha," in order to complete the first of the four great preliminary guides (see The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra for more details).

For those wishing to complete the entire retreat from KMC NYC, please write to [email protected] as soon as possible to reserve your place.

Please note: the timing needed to count all 100,000 mantras  will vary for each individual.