Tibetan Buddhist practices are not quiet!
Don’t worry if you don’t speak Tibetan – most of us don’t either!
Practices typically include meditation and lots of chanting, most of which is in Tibetan, but some is in English. Copies of the practices are available that include the written Tibetan, phonetic pronunciation of the Tibetan, and English translation. Don’t be embarrassed if you get lost – everybody has! The chant leader calls out page numbers when needed, or you can just ask someone near you and they will help.
In every practice, at some point, participants go quiet and recite mantra – sacred words and syllables – using their malas (prayer beads) to repeat the mantra at least 108 times.
Some practices also include food offerings, some of which will be given during the practice, and some of which you can enjoy after the practice is over.
There is usually no “sermon,” what we call a teaching. Practices are not the same thing as teachings.
We hope you’ll stay to receive the blessing of the practice, but…
You can come and go as you please. You will not be disturbing anyone if you arrive after the practice has started or leave before it ends.
Sound interesting? Join us! Here’s a schedule of our regular practices that anyone is welcome to attend. All times are in Eastern Time and subject to change. All lengths are approximate.
Practices and Activities have different purposes and meanings.
Practices and Activities
Here are descriptions of some of the practices we do most frequently:
Condensed Medicine Buddha
Medicine Buddha is known specifically to help eliminate pain and sickness, purify disease, and restore health for both yourself and those for whom you are practicing. However, the practice is as much about the mind as it is the body. The practice purifies and removes the underlying, karmic causes of disease and cultivates the causes for holistic well-being.
Daily at 5:30pm
(Online only – Facebook Live, YouTube Live)
15 minutes
Drum Circle for Rain
At KPC, we drum while chanting mantra and praying for rain to ease drought conditions around the world. Please bring any drums or instruments you have – the more the merrier! If you don’t have any drums, there are usually extra available.
Tuesdays at 6pm
(In-person only – at the Guru Rinpoche statue in KPC’s Peace Park)
45 Minutes
P’howa
P’howa generates positive merit to help someone who has just passed away.
- Thursday at 4pm
- Saturday at 8:30am
(Online only – Zoom)
1 hour
Riwo Sang Chod
Riwo Sang Chöd is a smoke offering created by a fire built with wood, incense, and medicine. The smoke purifies past negative actions, cleanses the environment, increases health and prosperity, and stimulates world peace.
Saturdays at 12pm
(Outside and Inside Prayer Room, Facebook Live, Zoom)
20 minutes
Rigdzin Dupa
Rigdzin Dupa, or “Gathering of Awareness Holders,” is a powerful practice that removes blocks to happiness, reduces mental suffering, restores broken spiritual promises, and creates compassion, peace and harmony. It also celebrates the masculine energy of method or compassion and is performed on Guru Rinpoche Day (the 10th lunar day of the Tibetan calendar) to celebrate.
Times vary – please see our practice calendar.
(Prayer Room or at the Guru Rinpoche statue in KPC’s Peace Park, Zoom)
90 minutes – 2 hours
Yumka
One of the most profound practices performed at KPC, Yumka celebrates the feminine energy of wisdom. The Yumka puja (also called tsog) creates positive energy and wisdom, purifies past negative actions, and repairs broken promises. The central meditation visualization is on the wisdom Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, foremost consort to Guru Rinpoche. The Yumka sadhana is renowned as a full path to enlightenment.
Yumka is celebrated on Dakini Day (the 25th lunar day of the Tibetan calendar) with a practice and tsog to celebrate the feminine energy of wisdom.
Times vary – please see our practice calendar.
(Prayer Room, Zoom)
90 minutes – 2 hours
Chime Sog Tik
A guided meditation and offering puja (also called a tsog) practice dedicated to balancing Mother Earth’s elements. By meditating on earth, water, fire, wind, space and life force through your own body, you extend your life force and the planet’s.
Times vary – please see our practice calendar.
(Prayer Room, Zoom)
90 minutes
Teachings & Meditation Classes
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo
For nearly three decades, American-born lama, Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, has been transferring the meaning of Buddhism in the English-speaking world. She is cherished for the clarity, warm humor, and immediate practicality she brings to even the most subtle aspects of the Buddhist path. Her teachings, originally recorded over the span of more than 35 years, are rebroadcast on YouTube Live to make them freely available to anyone who wants to learn about the Dharma.
Sundays at 10am
(Online only – YouTube Live)
1 hour
Khenpo Karze
Join us every Sunday for a meditation class and dharma talk led by Khenpo Karze, followed by Q&A. This class offers a strong foundation in meditation, helping cultivate inner peace and compassion amidst busy lives.
The meditation focus varies from class to class. The class begins with 30 minutes of meditation instruction, followed by 5-10 minutes of meditation practice, and then continues with discussion and Q&A. Each session concludes with a brief Chenrezig practice in which we recite Om Mani Pemé Hung Hrih (a prayer of compassion), and a dedication prayer that our efforts benefit all beings.
Sundays at 11:30am
(Prayer Room, Facebook Live, YouTube Live)
90 minutes
Guided Meditation
This beginner-friendly guided meditation class to stabilize your mind and open your heart includes traditional meditations, such as Shamatha (calm abiding) and Tonglen (sending and receiving), and Jetsunma’s Light Expansion Prayer. All are welcome whether new to meditation or regular practitioners looking for a supportive group with whom to sit.
Saturdays at 11am
(Prayer Room, Facebook Live, YouTube Live)
50 minutes
KPC Calendar
Our calendar has a complete and up-to-date list of times and locations for the practices.
