The Second Children’s Dharma Retreat, Deer Park 2026

About This Retreat

In the shade of Deer Park, Bir, in Himachal Pradesh, children from the Tibetan Children’s Villages gathered for the Second Children’s Dharma Retreat, held from 9 to 10 August 2026. The retreat was supported by Tibet House — The Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi.

On the second morning, 10 August 2026, Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La sat with the children in a lively question-and-answer session on the Buddha, the Three Jewels, and the qualities of a true teacher. This little book preserves that conversation, just as it unfolded — the questions asked, the answers given, and the laughter shared along the way.

In this dialogue:

G — Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La

K — Kids of the Retreat

Morning Dialogue

Deer Park, Bir — 10 August 2026

The Meaning of Being a Buddhist

Geshe-la: Are you a Buddhist?

Kids: Yes.

Geshe-la: How?

Kids: Because I take refuge in the Three Jewels.

Geshe-la: What are the Three Jewels?

Kids: The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Geshe-la: Why do we go for refuge to the Buddha?

Kids: Because he protects us.

Geshe-la: How?

Kids: Because he is the best of the teachers.

When Do You Cry?

Geshe-la: When do you cry?

Kids: When separating from our parents.

Kids: When we fall.

Kids: When we miss our parents.

Geshe-la: Is missing your parents real, or is it fake?

Geshe-la: How do you make your parents happy?

Kids: By studying well.

Kids: By behaving well.

Geshe-la: TCV students are very good. Work hard.

The Best of Teachers

Geshe-la: The best of all teachers is the Buddha. And His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also the Buddha, and the best of teachers.

Geshe-la: What are the Three Jewels?

Kids: The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Geshe-la: Why do we go for refuge to the Buddha?

Kids: Because he is the best of the teachers.

Which Teacher Is Good?

Geshe-la: Which teacher is good — the one who teaches, or the one who gives sweets?

Kids: The one who teaches.

Geshe-la: Really?

Kids: Yes!

— laughter —

Geshe-la: TCV students are brilliant. We are all TCV students — TCV Suja, Sambhota…

Three Qualities of the Best Teacher

Geshe-la: So, the best of teachers should have three qualities. What are they?

— a child comes forward to write on the whiteboard —

Kids: Perfection of Wisdom, Perfection of Affection, Perfection of Power.

Geshe-la: I will write it on the whiteboard. So — what are they?

Kids: Perfection of Wisdom, Perfection of Affection, Perfection of Power.

A Parable: Why These Qualities Matter

Geshe-la: Why are these three qualities so important?

Geshe-la: Suppose you have a science exam tomorrow.

Geshe-la: You go to your father — but your father does not know science. He cannot help you. Why not?

Kids: Because he does not have the knowledge of science.

Geshe-la: Good. So a good teacher must first have the Perfection of Wisdom.

Geshe-la: But your father says, “Don’t worry — your mother is a science topper. You can take her help.” Will you go to her?

Kids: Yes.

Geshe-la: But your mother is sick, so she too cannot help you. Why not?

Kids: Because she lacks the power to help.

Geshe-la: Good. So a teacher must also have the Perfection of Power.

Geshe-la: You still need help with science. Your father says, “Don’t worry — the neighbour is a Science Professor.” Will you go to him?

Kids: Yes.

Geshe-la: He asks for Rs. 1000 an hour. Can you pay that?

Kids: No.

Geshe-la: Then why could the Science Professor not help you?

Kids: Because he does not have affection.

Geshe-la: Yes. So a good teacher must also have affection.

Geshe-la: So therefore, a good teacher must have all three qualities. Yes, or no?

Kids: Yes.

Geshe-la: What are they?

Kids: Perfection of Wisdom, Perfection of Affection, and Perfection of Power.

Geshe-la: Very good. This is why the Buddha is the best of all teachers — because he alone holds all three qualities in full: the Perfection of Wisdom, the Perfection of Affection, and the Perfection of Power.

Choe Konchok: The Jewel of the Dharma

Geshe-la: What is Choe Konchok — the Jewel of the Dharma?

1) Renunciation

2) Bodhicitta

3) Wisdom of Emptiness

Geshe-la: The success of this retreat would be if all of you can come to know these Three Principal Paths.

Geshe-la: What are the three?

— the kids repeat together in unison —

1) Renunciation

2) Bodhicitta

3) Wisdom of Emptiness

Gendun Konchok: The Jewel of the Sangha

Geshe-la: So, what is Gendun Konchok — the Jewel of the Sangha?

Geshe-la: Go with good friends; do not go with bad friends.

Closing of the Session

The session drew to a close with the recitation of verses on Renunciation, Bodhicitta, and the Wisdom of Emptiness, followed by the chanting of the Buddha Shakyamuni Mantra:

ॐ Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Svaha ॐ

Session II

Deer Park, Bir — 10 August 2026

A Prayer of Light

The second session opened with the Light Offering Prayer, composed by the great master Acharya Atisha Dipamkara Shrijnana. As the words were recited together, a quiet brightness settled over the hall — a fitting beginning for all that was to follow.

Painting Kindness

Earlier that same day, before the session began, the children had taken part in a heartfelt SEE Learning activity — Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning — on the theme of Practising Kindness, expressed through painting. With colour and brush, they explored what kindness looks like in everyday life, imagining simple ways to carry it into their own daily lives.

Some paintings showed kindness given — a helping hand, a shared smile, a gentle word. Others showed something quieter and just as important: how to notice kindness in the people around us, and how that noticing can plant the same kindness within ourselves. Every canvas was a small window into a big heart.

---

Words of Gratitude

As the two days of teaching drew to a close, Piyali and Dasang La rose to speak on behalf of all the children and participants. With warm words, they thanked Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La for the two precious days of teachings he had so generously given to everyone gathered at Deer Park.

The Giving of Certificates

Then came the moment every child had been waiting for. One by one, each child stepped forward to receive a certificate and a small gift — a quiet, shining reward for two days spent listening, learning, and growing together.

| “I too had a certificate when I was a child — but I did not keep it safe, and it was lost. This one of yours is very precious. Keep it safe, and in the years to come, you will see just how precious it truly is.” | — Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La |

Alongside each certificate, the children also received a small booklet, HH the Dalai Lama: The Champion of Bodhisattvas, specially compiled for the Second Children’s Dharma Retreat — a keepsake every bit as precious as the certificate itself, to be treasured and returned to for years to come.

A Final Word of Thanks

The session closed with Piyaliji offering heartfelt thanks to Deer Park, and to Praveenji and Rajendraji, for their gracious hospitality and for every arrangement, small and large, that had made the retreat possible.

She thanked, too, Gen Dhondup Gyalpo La, who had warmly facilitated the sessions and stayed close to the children between teachings, and who had helped translate the SEE Learning activities so that every child could take part.

With a small token of appreciation, she thanked the staff of Tibet House, along with Bhumika La, Peter La, and all the volunteers, whose quiet care and effort had brought together every SEE Learning activity of the retreat — the many small hands behind two unforgettable days.

Special thanks went also to Karin Palden La, for all the assistance so generously given throughout the retreat, and to Akia La, for a wonderful yoga class that brought a gentle, joyful energy to the children’s two days at Deer Park.

A Closing Blessing

In closing, Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La offered his own warm congratulations — to Piyali La, Choeden La, Bhumika La, and Kaya Tenzin Dolma La, whose loving idea and heartfelt request had first given rise to this retreat, together with her parents and grandparents, whose quiet support had carried that idea into being — and to every volunteer, for the success of these two precious days.

He offered special appreciation to Bhumika Ji and Manivika La, who had been part of this journey from its very inception, congratulating them warmly for their dedication and effort in bringing the retreat to life.

Tibet House, too, expressed its deep gratitude for their initiative, and for organising, with such care, a retreat that had touched the hearts of all the children.

The Three Jewels

The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are known as the Three Jewels — the objects of refuge in Buddhist practice. The Buddha is the teacher who has attained complete awakening and points the way; the Dharma is the path he taught; and the Sangha is the community or companions that walks that path together.

As the children themselves declared that morning, the best of teachers is known by three qualities: the Perfection of Wisdom, the Perfection of Affection, and the Perfection of Power.

❦

With gratitude to Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul La, the children of TCV,

and Tibet House — The Cultural Centre of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi.