House and Business Blessings
Experience the Benefits of a Traditional Tibetan Blessing Ceremony Tibetan Buddhist monastics offer personalized house blessing ceremonies. Traditionally, blessing prayers were offered when a new Temple was built. These days a condensed version of this ceremony is offered in homes and businesses on request. What are the benefits of a house or business blessing?
Learning the Practices: Rigdzin Dupa and Medicine Buddha with Khenpo Karze
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Chenrezig
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Medicine Buddha
Medicine Buddha Medicine Buddha is dark blue in color and used for healing physical, mental, and emotional ailments. Medicine Buddha is known specifically to help eliminate pain and sickness, purify disease, and restore health for both yourself and those whom you are practicing for. However, the practice is as much about
Riwo Sang Chod
Riwo Sang Chod Riwo Sang Chod literally means “Mountain Smoke Offering”. Although Riwo Sang Chod can be performed with a single stick of incense, for more elaborate offerings a sacred fire can be built and various substances such as wood, incense, and medicine can be burnt as offerings. The burnt substances
Dorje Phagmo
Dorje Phagmo Dorje Phagmo is an ecstatically fierce red dakini whose head is surmounted by the head of a sow. The pig’s screech shatters illusion and cuts sharply through to the direct realization of the emptiness of self. She is often associated with triumph over ignorance and helps cut through attachment
Tsog
Tsog Tsog (pronounced “soak”) is a profound offering practice used for purification and to swiftly gather immense merit and wisdom. This is done by offering a “feast” ceremony with many different foods and drinks. The offering substances are then considered to be blessed and transformed into nectar through the practice, essentially
Rigdzin Dupa
Rigdzin Dupa Rigdzin Dupa is celebrated on Guru Rinpoche day (the 10th lunar day of the Tibetan calendar) with a Rigdzin Dupa practice and tsog. Rigdzin Dupa, ‘The Gathering of Awareness Holders,’ is a powerful practice for dispelling obstacles and celebrates the masculine energy of method, or compassion. Prayers,
Yumka
Yumka Yumka is celebrated on Dakini Day (the 25th lunar day of the Tibetan calendar) with a Yumka practice and tsog to celebrate the feminine energy of wisdom. The central meditation visualization of the Yumka practice is on the wisdom Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, foremost consort to Guru Rinpoche. The Yumka sadhana
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New Practice Schedule
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Sampa Lhundrup Ma
The Prayer to Guru Rinpoche that Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes Chapter 7 of Le'u Dunma - Prayer in 7 Chapters Emaho! In Dewachen, Blissful pure realm of the west Dwells Amitabha, whose Great Compassion was aroused: His blessing took form as Padmasambhava, Coming to this world to bring benefit to beings. Your compassion is
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New Year’s Eve 2024 Practices
If you are looking for a different way to welcome the new year, or you’re feeling anxious about the year ahead, come make the first words you speak in 2025 words of Dharma - it is truly a powerful and beautiful experience. This year, we will have two opportunities to participate. Most of these
The Great Aspiration Prayer to Kuntuzangpo
Great Aspiration Prayer to Kuntuzangpo
A Guide to Practices at KPC
Did you know that every single day at KPC, there is a group practice that anyone can attend? Every day, there are opportunities to explore and learn about Tibetan Buddhism, and get to know our community. Everyone is welcome. If you’ve never been to a Tibetan Buddhist practice, here are some things
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Khenpo Karze Teaching Series – Now on Wednesdays
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Register for Khenpo Karze's Regular Teachings at KPC Khenpo Karze is offering regular monthly teachings at KPC. These can be attended in person at KPC, or if that’s not possible, on zoom. Please register for March 16th, March 27th and March 30th by following the link below.
Khenpo Karze Schedules Regular Teachings at KPC
Khenpo Karze Schedules Regular Teachings at KPC We joyfully announce that Khenpo Karze will offer a Dharma banquet of regular teachings at KPC. These can be attended in person in the Prayer Room at KPC Maryland, or on zoom, if that’s not possible. Beginning March 16th, Khenpo will offer
Khenpo Tenzin Karze to Teach this Saturday -2.16.24
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Service Without Ceasing
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It’s Giving Tuesday!
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KPC Buddhist Relief Has a New Van
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Come Enjoy a Benefit Concert This Saturday
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The Last Push to Landscape Guru Rinpoche
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Food Insecurity in Montgomery County
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Drumming for Rain!
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Help Us Help Them
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Berry Picking Walk in KPC’s Peace Park
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The Meditation Challenge is Over The Meditation Challenge is over, but your meditation doesn't have to be! We hope that you started a new habit and will continue to find time to quiet your mind. And we are here to help - many of the resources we shared are available at
Meditation Challenge – Day 27
Welcome to Day 27 of the Meditation Challenge KPC Meditation Challenge - Video Guide Yay! You've made it this far in your meditation challenge--congratulations! How do you feel?! With all the techniques and tips you've learned throughout the month, pick your favorite and when you're ready to do your 5
Meditation Challenge – Day 24
Welcome to Day 24 of the Meditation Challenge Want group support for your meditation practice? Join our live Stabilizing the Mind meditation class to learn a profound and simple meditation. Join us every Saturday & Sunday at 10 a.m. onsite in the Prayer Room or online via webcast on Tara.org.
A Treasured Relic in the KPC Maryland Prayer Room
A Treasured Relic in the KPC Prayer Room Palyul Monastery, founded in 1665, is one of the six "mother monasteries" of the Nyingma Buddhist tradition in Tibet. Palyul's first throneholder was named Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab. His sister, Genyenma Ahkon Lhamo, spent most of her life in meditation retreat in a
Meditation Challenge – Day 21
Welcome to Day 21 of the Meditation Challenge In a teaching from the 1980s, Jetsunma taught about how the Light Expansion meditation helps one move past the feeling of separation, and begin to imitate the radiant qualities of one’s true nature: light and compassion. "Effective prayer is about imitating
KPC wishes everyone Losar Tashi Delek (Happy Losar)!
KPC wishes everyone Losar Tashi Delek (Happy Losar)! Losar is the start of the Tibetan New Year. This year Losar falls on Tuesday, February 21st. The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen successive days on which the Buddha displayed a different miracle in order to increase the
Meditation Challenge – Day 20
Welcome to Day 20 of the Meditation Challenge The KPC Meditation Challenge continues: Light Expansion Meditation Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo's Light Expansion Prayer helps us connect to our absolute awakened nature. Before you begin, take time to set your intention: that you are doing this practice to benefit others and wish
Exciting News – Prayer Room Opens to Public
Exciting News! The Prayer Room Opens to the Public! There's good news and there's better news! First, the good news: KPC Maryland Prayer Room re-opens to the public on the weekends starting this weekend! The even better news: For the first time since 2020, the Prayer Room will be open
Meditation Challenge – Day 17
Welcome to Day 17 of the Meditation Challenge An excerpt from a profound teaching by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche to Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche on Tonglen Meditation, as recounted by Jetsunma: “In that case, let me teach you how to practice.” He said, “Every breath that you take, every
Meditation Challenge – Day 16
Welcome to Day 16 of the Meditation Challenge Tonglen, or the practice of "sending and receiving," is a beautiful Buddhist meditation to awaken compassion. With each in-breath, we take in others’ pain. With each out-breath, we send them relief. It helps antidote our usual avoidance of suffering and pursuit of
Meditation Challenge – Day 15
Welcome to Day 15 of the Meditation Challenge Congratulations, you've reached the halfway point of the KPC Meditation Challenge! Here is some motivation from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche to keep you going: "When we don't control the mind and just let it be free, then it starts to create
Meditation Challenge – Day 13
Welcome to Day 13 of the Meditation Challenge The KPC Meditation Challenge continues with Tonglen practice with Atira Zeoli Tonglen meditation uses the breath to give and receive, helping us to expand our compassion. In this excerpt from the Buddhism for Beginners series, Atira breaks down what that means and
Meditation Challenge – Day 10
Welcome to Day 10 of the Meditation Challenge The KPC Meditation Challenge continues! Counting Breaths with Atira Zeoli An excerpt from one of the Buddhism for Beginners series, Atira shows us how to count our breath as another way to help stabilize your mind during meditation, while practicing the 7-point
Meditation Challenge – Day 9
Welcome to Day 9 of the Meditation Challenge Have you heard we are doing a meditation challenge for the month of February? It's never too late to join! Throughout the month of February, we’ll post tips and techniques on Facebook, Instagram and here on Tara.org, designed to help you build
Meditation Challenge – Day 8
Welcome to Day 8 of the Meditation Challenge In today's video for the KPC Meditation Challenge, KPC Spiritual Director Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo teaches about the technique of single-pointed concentration for the restless mind. Focus on an image of the Buddha, a candle or even the breath, letting the mind rest
Meditation Challenge – Day 7
Welcome to Day 7 of the Meditation Challenge How is the meditation challenge going for you so far? In this video, Atira explains the importance of posture to help calm the restless mind in meditation, using the 7 points or physical positions when you’re in your meditation room or somewhere
Kyabje Gyangkhang Rinpoche to Consecrate Chhamba and Yarjang Temples in Nepal
Kyabje Gyangkhang Khentrul Rinpoche to Consecrate Two Temples in Nepal Khenpo Pem Tsheri Sherpa, who is the resident Khenpo at KPC in Maryland, has also been hard at work building a new temple in his village in Nepal. The old one was destroyed by an earthquake a few years ago.
Meditation Challenge – Day 3
Welcome to Day 3 of the Meditation Challenge Want group support for your meditation practice? Join our live Stabilizing the Mind meditation class to learn a profound and simple meditation. Beginners and advanced practitioners are welcome. These classes are ongoing and people can start anytime. This practice is based on Jetsunma
Meditation Challenge – Day 2
Welcome to Day 2 of the Meditation Challenge "If you cannot stabilize your mind and remain undistracted in meditation, it makes no difference whether you are in an isolated place or not. One of our lamas found it too disturbing to be in crowded places, so to practice he preferred
More Bridges = More Trails for You
More Bridges = More Trails Open for You Visit the Peace Park again and check out the amazing changes! As of yesterday, thanks to John Darrin & Demitri: The bridge between the Guru Rinpoche Statue and Yellow Garden is now open to pedestrian traffic. Work
Meditation Challenge – Day 1
Welcome to Day 1 of the Meditation Challenge Meditation Tips to Get Started Meditation can be practiced by anyone, regardless of religious tradition. The following are some simple meditation techniques as explained by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo: Posture While there are more elaborate explanations for how to hold the body, in
Meditation Challenge – Coming soon
Daily Meditation Challenge Coming Soon! Meditation is the natural state of mind when it is relaxed, stable, and open. Whether you are new to meditation or you’ve done it for years, having guidance and tools to support and deepen your practice can help make it a beneficial habit. That’s why
An Evening of Faith and Community
An Evening of Faith and Community 2023 Inauguration of Wes Moore & Aruna Miller Honoring Governor-Elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller Sunday, January 15, 2023 5:30-8PM Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, Calverton, Maryland The title tells it all. The Inauguration of the new Maryland Governor and Lieutenant Governor, was focused on
KPC’s Buddhism for Beginners Podcast is Reaching an International Audience
KPC’s Buddhism for Beginners Podcast is Reaching an International Audience The KPC mission is to inspire people to improve the world and end suffering for the benefit of all beings. To accomplish that goal, a podcast has been created called Buddhism for Beginners to be able to reach people around the
Helping the Homeless in Our Community
Helping the Homeless in Our Community Buddhist Relief is always looking for new ways to help those in need locally, nationally or internationally, and a new opportunity came our way this winter. The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) assists the local homeless community by providing emergency
H.H. Penor Yangsi Rinpoche Birthday 12/31/2022
H.H. Penor Yangsi Rinpoche 11th Birthday - 12/31/2022 A Short Biography of Yangsi Pema Norbu Rinpoche The activities of the previous Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche were boundlessly kind. His activities benefited people spiritually, but also on an ordinary level. Read about the previous Holiness Penor Rinpoche here. A manifestation of
Explosions in Kharkiv
They Still Need Us - Explosions have begun in Kharkiv, Ukraine The Ukrainian people still need us. We are told by our Sikh friends from United Sikhs that, "Ëxplosions have begun in Kharkiv. Everything will be shut down for two days with no traffic." Any amount you
Migyur Dorje Stupa Consecration
Migyur Dorje Stupa https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/migyur-dorje-stupa/ The following article is from the Spring, 1996 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter. Some photos by freelance photographer Patsy Lynch have been added to illustrate the text. You can see the original newsletter here. Tulku Rigdzin Pema and Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo consecrating the Migyur
The KPC Peace Park is Here for You
KPC’s Peace Park is a destination for prayer, meditation and the experience of peace. KPC Peace Park offers a place for everyone. Please consider a gift to support this sanctuary Donate to KPC Year End Fundraising “This was just what I needed,” whispered the grateful gray-haired visitor who had
An Endless Stream of Blessings
An Endless Stream of Blessings From the very beginning when students first heard Jetsunma teach, before she was known as Jetsunma, they were drawn by the power of her teachings to resonate as truth. Later, when H.H. Penor Rinpoche first came to America in 1985, he authenticated her teachings
Update from United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission
Updates from United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission 11/15/2022 Thanks to your generosity, Kunzang Palyul Choling, under the guidance of H.E. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, continues to send urgently needed aid to groups on the ground in the Ukraine. This has helped fund these activities.
Please Support KPC’s Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
KPC is many things to many people, and the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park in Sedona Arizona is a very popular and fast-growing part of Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo's mandala. Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, AZ in the early morning More than 200 people a day visit the Amitabha Stupa and
Blessings for 2023
Blessings for 2023 Wrapping up Another Year in Gratitude Thank you to each and every one who has donated, volunteered, or supported in any way the beauty of what has and is being created at KPC. May your holidays and 2023 be filled with blessings. Your generosity and kindness
Lha Bab Duchen 11/15/2022
Lha Bab Duchen 11/15/2022 Lha Bab Düchen, or the 'Festival of the Descent from Heaven,' is one of the four major Buddhist holidays. It occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth Tibetan lunar month. Buddha’s mother Mayadevi died soon after the Buddha was burn and was reborn in Indra’s heaven.
Updates from United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission
Updates from United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission 10/12/2022 Thanks to your generosity, Kunzang Palyul Choling, under the guidance of Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, continues to send urgently needed aid to groups on the ground in the Ukraine. United Sikhs kindly provided video footage of their operation,
KPC Year End Fundraiser
Hello from Kunzang Palyul Choling, Please join in KPC's end of year drive. Our goal is to raise a total of $100,000 for the KPC General Fund by December 31st. So far, we have raised $95,547! Only $4,453 left in the last week to go! Thank you everyone! Donate to KPC Year
Riwo Sang Chod and Talk with Khenpo Pem -10/16/2022
Riwo Sang Practice and Talk with Khenpo Pem Tsheri Sherpa at the Guru Rinpoche Statue 10-16-2022 UPDATE! Due to rain, event will be on Sunday, 10/16/22 11am at Guru Rinpoche Statue or online. Riwo Sang Chod offering Talk by Khenpo Pem Q&A You are invited to a Smoke offering (Riwo
The Amitabha Stupa Land Preservation Project Begins
The Amitabha Stupa Land Preservation Project Begins In July, 2022 the City of Sedona awarded KPC a grant of $12,000 for repairs, improvements, mitigation work on the trails and “Leave No Trace” signage at the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park! Here is the description of the project, pretty much as it
Teachings on 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva 9/9-11/2022
37 Practices of a Bodhisattva - Teachings by Khenpo Pem Tsheri Sherpa 9/9-11/2022 Save the date – weekend of September 9th-11th 2022 One of the most famous native Tibetan texts on mind training, this classic by Tokme Zangpo summarizes the teachings of Śāntideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra and other sources, to present the path
Buggin’ Out
Buggin' Out Saturday, August 13th, 2022 from 2:00-4:00pm Insects are a fact of life in nature and especially when we are cultivating human made environments such as vegetable gardens. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel frustrated, when we encounter pesky insects eating the vegetables that we have worked so hard to
How to Harvest Seeds from Bolted Lettuce
How to Harvest Seeds from Bolted Lettuce Bolted lettuce? Collect the seeds! This video will show you how to identify when lettuce has “bolted” or gone to seed, and when to harvest the seeds. Note: Collecting seeds from hybrid plants will produce one of the parent plants. Collecting heritage seeds
Tour The New Tara.org
Welcome to KPC’s updated website – Tara.org! KPC’s Spiritual Director, H.E. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche, is a Dakini. As an activity emanation of the Buddha, she adds to the traditional Buddhist practices and teachings by initiating programs and projects that address what is currently happening in the world, encouraging students to
Teachings on Guru Rinpoche 7/20-21/2022
Teachings on Guru Rinpoche 7/20-21/2022 Wednesday & Thursday, July 20-21, 2022, at 7:30 pm In honor of the Guru Rinpoche statue’s consecration, KPC is pleased to welcome Khenpo Nyima Dondrup for 2 days of teachings on Guru Rinpoche. Khenpo Nyima has been to KPC a few times in the past, dating
Plaque Honors Eleanor & Woody Rowe
Plaque Honors Eleanor & Woody Rowe H.E. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche began teaching students after an invitation offered almost 40 years ago by Eleanor & Woody Rowe to come stay with them and teach what H.H. Penor Rinpoche later called, “pure Mahayana Buddhism”. Since that time, Eleanor and Woody have continued
Amitabha
Amitabha Amitabha, is referred to as the Buddha of “Infinite Light.” Through his compassionate aspirations as a Bodhisattva he vowed that upon attaining Buddhahood anyone who remembered his name or prayed to him would be reborn in his “pure realm” of Dewachen immediately after they die. From there, they could easily
BethesdaBeat – Buddhist Temple in Poolesville Unveils New Statue
BethesdaBeat - Buddhist Temple in Poolesville Unveils New Statue 2022 | NEWS Buddhist temple in Poolesville unveils new statue Dozens attend consecration ceremony for statue of Guru Rinpoche BY CHRISTINE ZHU |JUNE 15, 2022 | 1:35 PM Bethesda Magazine Dozens gathered on the grounds of Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Buddhist temple in
Press Release – Guru Rinpoche Consecration, 6-14-22
Press Release - Guru Rinpoche Statue Consecration Ceremony, 6-14-22 For Release: June 14, 2022 Contact: Shelley Sims, ssimskpc@gmail.com, 928-300-9917 Consecration of Buddhist Statue to Pacify War, near Washington D.C. In the Washington, DC region, there are hundreds of monuments to famous generals, historic battles and the glory of war. Soon
Buddhist Relief News
News from Buddhist Relief - Local and International Food Garden Spring is a dynamic time for gardening - and a great opportunity to share our gardening knowledge One of the missions of KPC's garden project is to educate others so they can grow their own food. To that end
Amitabha Stupa Platform Replacement
Amitabha Stupa Platform If you have visited the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park in Sedona to meditate, pray or to experience peace and calm, chances are you have enjoyed sitting under the shade of the meditation platform which is directly in front of the Stupa. The current wooden platform was built
They Still Need us – Help for Ukraine
They Still Need Us - Help for Ukraine “So it’s more and more difficult in Ukraine. There’s not enough food. It’s hard to get to it. So hard. I don’t even know how to ask you for more. You’ve given so much, and I’m so proud of all of you that
The Palyul Lineage And The Kapala
The Palyul Lineage and the Kapala Khenpo Pem highlights the history of this precious Palyul Lineage and Jetsunma's Kapala from the 1600’s to the present day. Whether or not you are familiar with KPC’s connection to the Palyul Lineage, this will be an introduction through the story of the Kapala,
Join the United Sikhs
Join the United Sikhs Under the guidance of Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC proudly supports the United Sikhs efforts to relieve the suffering of Ukrainians fleeing the violence and destruction of war. Please join the United Sikhs at the Polish border to help supply urgently needed aide to those
United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission
United Sikhs Ukraine Relief Mission Thanks to your generosity, Kunzang Palyul Choling, under the guidance of Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, has been able to send urgently needed aid to groups on the ground in the Ukraine. KPC was also able to provide urgently needed funds to the United Sikhs
Current Effort: Relief for Ukraine
Current Effort: Relief for Ukraine “This is so hard to watch. These beautiful, kind people. And they are good people too. We love them. I love them. You should love them. They need food and clothing. Please wake up. Please see this. It’s horrible, I know, but
KPC Annual Reports
Kunzang Palyul Choling Annual Reports KPC has produced beautiful Annual Reports, dating back to 2014. Each has a featured topic, complete with photos and stories that highlight one or more of the many activities at KPC locations. They also include the financial information that insures transparency for our wonderful supporters.
Tara
Tara is considered to be the mother of all the Buddhas, beloved for her swift compassionate activity that focuses on liberating beings from fear, anxiety, and danger. As a Bodhisattva, (and perhaps ahead of her time as a feminist) she made the vow that she would always return in female form to benefit sentient beings.
Glossary of Tibetan Buddhist Terms
Names of Buddhas, Concepts, Teachers, Terms
Recommended Tibetan Buddhist Books
Recommended Tibetan Buddhist Books These are enjoyable books we recommend about Tibetan Buddhism. They are written by recognized authentic teachers and are easily understandable even without Buddhist teaching. General Chagdud Tulku – Gates to Buddhist Practice Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche – Sadness, Love, Openness The Buddhist Path of Joy
Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, was an 8th-century Buddhist tantric master who is famous for bringing Buddhism to Tibet. Padmasambhava is an important symbol of enlightenment in the
