What’s Happening at KPC
February 2026 – Volume 1
Even in the coldest weeks of winter, KPC is humming with activity—from round-the-clock prayer in the Prayer Room to caring for the temple, the ponds, and one another. Read on for recent updates and what lies ahead in February.
Cheers for our Volunteers!
We had a great turn out for our 2nd Saturday volunteer day! Volunteers helped polish the altar bowls in the Prayer Room, and many stayed afterward to enjoy hot cocoa with Khenpo Karze or take part in the Saturday meditation class.
Our next 2nd Saturday volunteer day is February 14, when we will clean the Shakyamuni Altar in preparation for Losar. We hope to see you there!
Winter at the Koi Pond
Visit the Koi Ponds for a moment of winter magic. Ice has completely covered the surface, creating fascinating formations (see a short video from the Shubunkin pond). Rest assured, there are air holes in each pond so the fish can breathe. The fish are in a low-energy state called torpor and are doing well despite the freezing temperatures.
New Grant Awarded
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and the Congressional Hunger Center awarded KPC Buddhist Relief a $1,000 grant. This funding will support our participation in the Poolesville Presbyterian Church Backpack Bites program which provides food for families at two local elementary schools.
Warm Coats, Warm Hearts: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Service
Pictured here are KPC Buddhist Relief volunteers Cate, Mitali, and Prisha, who joyfully worked with Maura Daly, our Volunteer Coordinator, to sort, label, and photograph the many warm coats, jackets, and other items collected for our neighbors in need.
Thank you to ALL who have supported our Winter Clothing Drive, whether through donations or by bringing warm items directly to us at KPC.
Special thanks to Keith Federman and the Kindness Warriors from his Senior Fitness classes in Rockville who have been so generous and invaluable throughout this drive. We appreciate your support!
Winter Weather Rapid Response
In the frigid cold temps of the last few weeks, we have been doing direct outreach to those most in need of warmth, comfort and nourishment by going promptly to a Montgomery County warming center and temporary emergency housing center set up for the homeless.
Under the guidance of our founder, H.E. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, our intrepid team of KPC Buddhist Relief volunteers connected with EveryMind. They were THRILLED and visibly moved by KPC Buddhist Relief’s immediate and rapid response.
We brought snack packs and warm food, including chili, soup, macaroni and cheese and hot chocolate for people coming in from off the streets.
KPC Buddhist Relief dished out all of the warm chili and macaroni and cheese into individual portions and our contact person called the street outreach person to come and pick up the food immediately to be passed out to those on the streets.
We also dropped off many bags of warm clothing and blankets, and more are needed. We were told repeatedly, “You came at the perfect time!”
Our goal is to nourish, clothe and provide warmth to everyone who needs it. We want to feed those in need continuously until they no longer need it!
Interested in joining us? Learn more at KPC Buddhist Relief.
Thanks to the sale of our property in Arizona, the Capital Campaign got a big financial boost and we are ready to restart plans to build a new temple! Board President Anne Kanengeiser (pictured right) met with our architect, David Bagnoli, and electrical contractors, Jamar and Dorian Williamson (pictured center), to discuss next steps.
David, Jamar, and Dorian are now working together with Pepco to revise construction plans and give the KPC property a major upgrade to electricity service which will help our current system run more efficiently and prepare us for a new community building. We will even get electricity to the Guru Rinpoche statue in the Peace Park!
From the Archives
In this photo from October 1986, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche fills a Tara statue as a gift to Jetsunma, as she and her students look on. During this visit, Chagdud Rinpoche gave teachings on P’howa, Red Tara, and Tröma Chöd.
KPC’s Archives hold more than 40 years of videos, photos, documents, and sacred items, preserving the history of the Palyul lineage and the Dharma in the West.
Upcoming projects include organizing and labeling historical photos, digitizing documents, and updating older video formats for long-term storage. Volunteer opportunities will be available beginning in late February or March. If you’d like to help preserve this precious legacy, please email volunteer@tara.org.
A Busy February Ahead!
The Tibetan New Year is a little different from the more commonly known Lunar New Year. It is observed over a period of several weeks, beginning with Gütor, the clearing of the old year, and continuing through Losar and the fifteen days leading up to Chotrul Düchen. In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, followed by the Tibetan New Year on Wednesday. Here’s what to expect for the last days of the year of the Wood Snake and the first days of the year of the Fire Horse.
Gütor
Thursday, February 12 – Monday, February 16
Gütor is a time to purify negativity, repay karmic debts, and avert all obstacles of the previous year, making way for a new year filled with peace, good health, prosperity, and auspiciousness. A potent way to do this is by engaging in the Ratna Lingpa Vajrakilaya practice, which will be held nightly during Gütor.
This is also a good time to clean the temple and our surroundings, and do ‘bless and burn.’ These activities help to clear the mind of negative thoughts and obstacles, and fill it with positive thoughts. Volunteers are warmly encouraged to help with temple and grounds cleaning during this period.
Lunar New Year (Tết)
Tuesday, February 17
Known as Tết in Vietnamese culture, Lunar New Year is a busy day at KPC, with visitors coming from near and far to make offerings and circumambulate the stupas. Blessing cords will be available, along with refreshments.
Losar
Wednesday, February 18
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is celebrated much like the Western New Year, with parties, dinners, and family gatherings during a 2-week period leading up to Chotrul Düchen, one of the four major Buddhist holidays.
At KPC, we will mark the first day of Losar with opening prayers in the morning, followed by a day of visiting the temple and circumambulating the stupas. We hope you will join us for an abundant tsog, including kapse, the traditional Tibetan cookie made for Losar. You are welcome to bring your favorite treats to share.
The following is the practice schedule for Losar this year:
Monday, February 16 (29th Day in Tibetan Calendar, Gutor)
10am Tara Practice
7pm Vajrakilaya Practice
Tuesday, February 17 (30th Day in Tibetan Calendar)
7pm Rigdzin Dupa including Long Life practice
Wednesday, February 18 (1st Day of Lunar New Year/Losar and Chotrul Duchen)
10am Duchen Shaykamuni Buddha Practice
7pm Rigdzin Dupa
Thursday, February 26 Guru Rinpoche Day
7pm Rigdzin Dupa
Tuesday, March 3 Full Moon: Conclusion of Losar and Chotrul Duchen Period
10am Duchen Shaykamuni Buddha Practice
7pm Rigdzin Dupa
KPC Regular Schedule and Hours
Practices, classes, and events are offered in person and online, and all are welcome. Check the KPC Calendar for our full schedule, as times are subject to change.
The Prayer Room, Temple Grounds, Peace Park and Koi Ponds are open to the public daily, even on holidays. You are welcome to visit us during the following hours:
Prayer Room: 8 am – 8 pm
Temple Grounds and Peace Park: Dawn – Dusk
*New* Koi Ponds: 11am – Dusk
During the cold months, the koi enter a hibernation-like state called torpor. While they may not be very active, you’re warmly welcome to visit and enjoy the ponds.
For everyone’s safety, the property is monitored by cameras, and access is not permitted outside these times. Thank you for understanding!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) is a Buddhist Temple in the Nyingma Tradition, founded by Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche under the guidance of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.
KPC is a Platinum-level Guide Star Exchange participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency through sharing information.
Kunzang Palyul Choling is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Federal Tax ID # 52-1501476.
All donations are fully tax deductible.
Contact information:
Kunzang Palyul Choling
18400 River Road
Poolesville, MD 20837
(301) 710-6259
