His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche will bestow the Kalachakra initiation in Toronto, Canada, from August 9th to 13th, 1990. Co-sponsored by the Karma Kagyu Centres of Toronto and Niagara, the ceremony will be held at the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall.

This will be the first time the Kalachakra initiation has been given in North America by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. His Eminence is one of the four Regents of the Kagyu lineage, and has also been closely linked with the Kalachakra in his previous incarnations. His Eminence recently gave the initiation in San Sebastian, Spain.

His Eminence feels that it is particularly important to hold the ceremony in Canada in association with the Karma Kagyu Centre at this time. The Karma Kagyu Centre of Toronto is the main center of His Holiness Karmapa in Canada, he says. It would be good for the Centre and also the whole nation. The Centre is directed by Choje Lama Namse Rinpoche, His Holiness' personal representative in Canada.

The Kalachakra initiation is a very important spiritual and cultural event for Dharma practitioners and non-practitioners alike. The Kalachakra initiation pacifies conflicts, develops peace and welfare, and reduces suffering, both for those who attend and within the community in which it is performed. Because of this, there is a tradition of giving this very important initiation to large public gatherings. All those who come to this initiation will create a vital spiritual connection with His Eminence.

The Kalachakra is actually a system of seven preliminary and four higher initiations transmitted by the master over a five-day ceremony. The first day is spent on pujas and a special preparatory initiation. The actual Kalachakra empowerment takes place over the next three days. The fifth and final day is a special Ganachakra feast offering where participants celebrate and dedicate the merit of their practice.

Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, with early registrants getting seats nearest the mandala. Tickets are selling faster than expected, so register early to ensure yourself a space. Contact: Kalachakra 1990, Karma Kagyu Centre, 503 Huron Steet, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2R6. Tel. 416-961-5542.