WELCOME
Iowa City’s
Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center
A welcoming community for meditation, the cultivation of compassion, and the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.
WE’VE MOVED
Join us at our new home in Iowa City: 1724 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52245
A Place for Practice, Study and Community
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, known for his vast realization, attainment, and compassion. Everyone is welcome.
Rooted in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage
We follow the authentic lineage of the Drikung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, passed down through unbroken lines of realization and practice.
new
WEEKLY SCHEDULE, 2026
all events at the Dharma Center, 1724 Morningside Dr., Iowa City
Most programs are offered freely in the tradition of generosity. If you attend regularly, please support our center with a recurring gift. In person only.
MEDITATION & CONTEMPLATION
On Sunday mornings we follow the traditional Three Activities of hearing, contemplation, and meditation. We begin with a group reading, alternating between Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva, the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, and the Kuntuzangpo prayer, followed by a period of silent contemplation, and close with a guided compassion meditation using the Tibetan mantra “Om Ah Hung.”
No experience necessary. Drop in when you can.
Aug 30–Dec 20
10:00–11:15am: practice
More Information
The Om Ah Hung practice was developed by Khenchen Konchok Gyatshen Rinpoche. It involves following a guided visualization and mantra recitation.
This session is offered freely in the tradition of generosity. If you attend regularly, we invite you to make a contribution to help sustain our programs.
FOUNDATIONS OF BUDDHISM
An introduction to the foundations of Buddhism. Each evening begins with meditation instruction, then a short reading and discussion. This class is for people new to Buddhism, or new to the center. If you’ve never meditated, never read a Buddhist book, and aren’t sure what questions to ask — this is for you. If you’re a more experienced practitioner, we’d also point you toward Wednesday and Sunday practice as the better fit.
Part I: Sep 15 – Oct 20
6:30–7:45pm
in-person only
Please REGISTER so we know to expect you; we need at least four to run the class. You can join at any point along the way.
Registration for all 6 weeks:
standard rate: $15
supported rate: no fee – but registration required
More Information
Please REGISTER so we know to expect you; we need at least four to run. This class is in-person only.
Registration for all 6 weeks:
standard rate: $15
The course is arranged in four parts:
I. Our Situation, A Buddhist Lens
Sept 15 – Oct 20, 2026
II. Motivation, The Four Thoughts
Oct 27 – Dec 8, 2026
III. Aspiration, Bodhicitta
Jan 19 – Mar 2, 2027
IV. Training, The Six Perfections
Mar 16 – Apr 27, 2027
Each session stands on its own — you’re welcome to begin with any of them. No prior experience or reading required. All materials provided.
WHITE TARA PRACTICE
White Tara practice, offered Wednesday evenings this fall. If you are new to the practice we welcome you to come at 6pm for a brief introduction.
Sep 9 – Dec 16
6:00–6:30pm: intro to the practice
6:30–7:30pm: White Tara practice
More Information
Resources from Garchen Buddhist Institute
His Eminence Garchen Rinpochehas taught extensively on the benefits of White Tara practice.
White Tara is a beloved Buddhist deity, practiced across all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. She is the emodiment of compassion who helps with long life, health, peace, and prosperity.
What she represents: She is a protector who shows endless kindness to anyone suffering. Chanting her mantra is a way to feel close to her and grow those same qualities — compassion, generosity, wisdom — in yourself.
The deeper point: At the deepest level, White Tara isn’t a separate being “out there” — she represents the enlightened mind itself — pure, open, and beyond ordinary concepts.
This session is offered freely in the tradition of generosity. If you attend regularly, we invite you to make a contribution to help sustain our programs.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS
VAJRAKILAYA STUDY GROUP
Several years ago Garchen Rinpoche instructed our sangha to practice Vajrakilaya. The conditions have now come together for us to undertake this powerful practice as a community. The practice is complex and the prerequisite understanding is extremely important. Therefore, we are creating a Study Group so that we form a core of understanding. We will be reading Garchen Rinpoche’s text Vajrakilaya – A Complete Guide with Experiential Instructions.
The Vajrakilaya empowerment will be required before joining the study group.
You can purchase the book here.
DAY & TIME TO BE DETERMINED
Hybrid – both on Zoom and in-person at the Dharma Center
KHENPO SAMDUP TO TEACH
January, 2027
More information to come!
NEWS & UPDATES
A Request for Prayers for
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Updates, teachings and prayer sessions for our beloved Rinpoche
We have moved
Help us fulfill Garchen Rinpoche’s wish for a stable, permanent Dharma center in lowa City. Join us at 1724 Morningside Drive in Iowa City.
This only works because of your generosity.
Your giving sustains our space, brings teachers to Iowa City, and keeps the doors open for those who haven’t found us yet. If the center has been meaningful to you, please consider a recurring monthly gift.
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible.
