Amitabha Kadampa Buddhist Centre was established in Palmerston North by Gen Kelsang Demo at the request of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 2004, and over the next 15 years, until her death in late 2019, she worked tirelessly at establishing classes in a number of centres across the central North Island, and in a variety of community settings (e.g: prisons, tertiary education centres, health service providers, the council and so on). Her mission was to make Dharma accessible and meaningful to as many people as possible.
She was unfailingly kind, patient and non-judgmental; her teachings were clear and inclusive; and she always encouraged her students to ask questions and make Dharma relevant to the difficulties that each of us face in negotiating our way through this very complex, busy and often difficult modern world.
Perhaps one of her greatest strengths as our Resident Teacher, was her own commitment to putting Dharma into practice and using it to help her maintain a peaceful mind and generous heart, as well as meet challenges and difficulties with patience and inner strength: she really did ‘walk the talk’ – and helped many of us start to walk this path too.
Thank you Gen Demo – we hold you in a special place in our hearts and remember you with love. We were so very fortunate to have spent time with you.