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.
Spring 2025 . Weekly Schedule
WEDNESDAYS
~April 9, 16, 23, 30 | 5:00–6:00pm
Silent Strength: Building Inner Calm
Let silence guide you to a mind at ease
Silent meditation, rooted in the practice of shamatha (calm abiding), offers a profound opportunity to cultivate stillness and stability of mind with an emphasis on training the mind to rest naturally, free from distraction and agitation. This session, Silent Strength: Building Inner Calm, invites you to experience the tranquility that arises when the mind abides peacefully. We will gather at 5:00 PM and begin meditation at 5:15 PM, creating a space for you to develop clarity, calmness, and the ability to remain present amidst life’s challenges.
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. If you are not able to become a member please consider making a donation for your time at the center. There is a donation box located near the entrance.
SATURDAYS
~April 5, 12, 19, 26 | 9:30–10:15am
Mindfulness Meditation for Everyone
Mindfulness for every moment
Mindfulness meditation is a simple yet transformative practice that helps us stay present, grounded, and open to life as it unfolds. This session, Mindfulness Meditation for Everyone, is open to all levels and begins with 15 minutes of instruction to guide you through foundational techniques, followed by 30 minutes of silent meditation. Join us on Saturday mornings from 9:30–10:15 AM to explore how mindfulness can bring balance, clarity, and calm into your daily life. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this is a welcoming space to pause and cultivate a sense of ease together.
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. If you are not able to become a member please consider making a donation for your time at the center. There is a donation box located near the entrance.
SUNDAYS
9:30–10:20am
Om Ah Hung Meditation Practice
Discover the Power of Compassion Meditation
Whether you’re just starting out with meditation or have been practicing for a while, our Guided Compassion Meditation is a great way to connect with yourself and others. We’ll introduce you to the Tibetan Buddhist mantra “Om Ah Hung,” a powerful tool for cultivating compassion and kindness towards yourself and all beings.
New to Meditation? Don’t worry! Our space is warm and inviting, perfect for beginners to explore meditation. And if you’re already a seasoned practitioner, this session can help you deepen your experience of compassion and mindfulness.
More about Om Ah Hung meditation practice
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. If you are not able to become a member please consider making a donation for your time at the center. There is a donation box located near the entrance.
SUNDAYS
10:30–11:15am
Chenrezig Meditation Practice
Join Our Compassion Meditation
Come and explore the heart of compassion within yourself through our Chenrezig meditation practice.
This session combines mantra recitation, mindfulness meditation, and visualization to help you cultivate compassion for the benefit of all beings. Everyone is welcome to join us on this journey of self-discovery and kindness. Let’s come together to nurture our inner compassion and spread warmth and understanding to all.
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. If you are not able to become a member please consider making a donation for your time at the center. There is a donation box located near the entrance.
MONDAYS thru FRIDAYS
10:00-11:00am central time ~on zoom
Daily Prayers and Practices
Join Khenpo Samdup and sangha online
Let’s stay connected! Please join Naomi and Ellen Marie as we practice with the the Gar Drolma Center (in Dayton, Ohio) and international sangha on Zoom. The community is a group of devoted Dharma practitioners under the leadership of Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche and senior practitioners. The practices include daily prayers and deity practice including Shakyamuni Buddha, Achi Chokyi Drolma, Parnashavari, the Seven Verses of Supplication to Tara, and Vajrapani. How to Attend: Pre-registration is not necessary. *For security, please do not share ZOOM info on social media.
Zoom Meeting Info Request
Once you receive the meeting ID and password using the form above, simply visit Zoom.us, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the Meeting ID and password.
For Download: Daily Practice Book
Questions: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
- 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
