Welcome to Iowa City's Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center
We are a home for meditation, the cultivation of compassion, and the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The center is under the spiritual direction of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche who is known for his vast realization, attainment, and great compassion. Everyone is welcome at the center.
Fall 2024 . Weekly Schedule
SUNDAYS
Om Ah Hung Meditation Practice
Sun, 9:30–10:20am
A guided meditation to purify afflictive emotions
This practice will introduce you to a Tibetan Buddhist guided meditation – using the mantra Om Ah Hung – that can be used by anyone to achieve compassion and lovingkindness.
Location: Garchen Mila Buddhist Center, The Paul Helen Building, 209 East Washington Street, Suite 200 –in downtown Iowa City,
No registration or fee: Drop-in. Regular visitors are invited to become a member.
Chenrezig Meditation Practice
Sun, 10:30–11:15am
A joyful meditation to realize our own compassion
Through Chenrezig meditation practice we can realize our own heart of compassion through the application of mantra recitation, mindfulness meditation and visualization. Everyone welcome!
Location: Garchen Mila Buddhist Center, The Paul Helen Building, 209 East Washington Street, Suite 200 –in downtown Iowa City,
No registration or fee: Drop-in. Regular visitors are invited to become a member.
THURSDAYS
Introduction to Practice
Thu, 7–8pm ~zoom only
An online introduction to the practices done at our Dharma Center
In this session we will explore the elements that form part of our Dharma practice at the Center. We will have a short silent meditation and the beginning and end of each discussion. The discussion covers topics such as:
- The meaning of opening and closing prayers
- Understanding Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
- Taking refuge: what it means and why we do it
- How to practice the Om Ah Hung meditation
- Tibetan Buddhist Deity meditation practice
- Ritual instruments , such as the bell and damaru
This is a great opportunity for newcomers and those looking to deepen their understanding of Tibetan Buddhist practices.
Location: Zoom only – Email us to request zoom information
No registration or fee: Drop-in. Regular visitors are invited to become a member.
- Health Policy: Vaccination against Covid19 is encouraged for all visitors. Please refrain from visiting if feeling at all unwell –or if you have been exposed to Covid. If positive for Covid or flu, wait at least ten days before returning.
- Our programs are mostly free of charge. Regular visitors are invited to become members to support the Center. Occasional visitors are encouraged to make a modest donation.
- Seating options include both cushions and chairs. Kindly take off your shoes before entering the practice area.
Dharma Center Location: The Dharma Center is located on the second floor of the Paul-Helen Building at 209 East Washington Street (Suite 200) in downtown Iowa City. The entrance to the building faces the Dubuque Street pedestrian mall. There is an elevator that opens directly to our doorway. The building and the center are accessible to individuals with mobility difficulties.
Parking: Iowa City’s downtown streets have metered parking. Parking is also available in three ramps with entrances from Dubuque and Linn Streets (Sheraton Hotel), Clinton and Capitol Streets (Old Capitol Center), and Iowa Avenue (Clock Tower Place).
Health: Please do not attend if you are feeling at all ill or know that you have been exposed to a contagious disease.
WE OFFER OUR MEDITATION IN THE TRADITION OF GENEROSITY…
The Garchen Mila Buddhist Center upholds the ancient 2600-year-old Buddhist custom of offering teachings without cost. Staffed exclusively by volunteers, the center functions through the kindness of our members, enabling us to provide meditation sessions to the community without any fees. For those who decide to make our center a regular part of their journey, we invite you to join us as a member and contribute to the sustenance of our programs. For those who drop by occasionally, a modest donation for the day would be greatly appreciated.
To send membership by mail, please send checks to:
P.O. Box 5352, Coralville IA 52241
Milarepa Buddhist Center of Iowa
