Welcome to Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
a Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center serving eastern Iowa and the world
We are a home for meditation, the cultivation of compassion and community. Garchen Mila Buddhist Center offers daily meditation sessions and weekly teaching programs. We are dedicated to providing a place of refuge, tranquility and the philosophical teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The center is under the spiritual direction of Garchen Rinpoche who is one of the most revered gurus in the Drikung Kagyu tradition and famous for his vast realization, attainment, and great compassion.
Everyone is welcome at the center. All that’s required is your wise and open heart.
**Garchen Rinpoche has changed our name from Milarepa Buddhist Center of Iowa to Garchen Mila Buddhist Center. He has changed the name in order to reflect his vision of our future as a Dharma center in the Gar tradition of the Drikung Kagyu. The name literally means – Garchen’s Milarepa Buddhist Center.
1-10-22: Due to the recent rise in Covid cases, THE DHARMA CENTER IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR IN-PERSON ACTIVITY. We will offer all practices on zoom.
NEW!
Our Name has changed. Here’s Why…
Garchen Rinpoche has changed our name from Milarepa Buddhist Center of Iowa to Garchen Mila Buddhist Center. He has changed he name in order to reflect his vision of our future as a Dharma center in the Gar tradition of the Drikung Kagyu. The name literally means – Garchen’s Milarepa Buddhist Center.
Suggested Watching
Khenpo Thupsang’s teachings on the Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gamopa
Khenpo is offering excellent classical teachings on Gampopa’s text which outlines the graduated path to enlightenment. These teachings provide an excellent foundation for understanding Tibetan Buddhism. For fall of 2021 there will be 8 classes. We will resume this series in the Spring of 2022.
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 2: Buddha Nature
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 3: Buddha Nature cont.
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 4: Precious Human Birth
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 5: The Spiritual Master
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 6: Impermanence
Jewel Ornament of Liberation – Class 7: The Suffering of Samsara
Reflections on the meaning of enlightenment by Bob Thurman
Speaker: Robert Thurman
Recorded: May 15, 2015
Time: 6 min
Watch the teaching>
What Are Mantras? by Tsultrim Allione
Speaker: Tsultrim Allione
Recorded: Sep 18, 2019
Time: 3 min
Watch the teaching>
Winter Fund Drive
In 2021 our community has grown. We now have a resident lama, Khenpo Thupsang, who has made his home in Iowa. In addition, we have expanded our meditation and teaching programs. We now offer meditation or teachings every day! With this new level of activity has come a greater financial burden for our community. As we look to 2022 we need your help to continue providing authentic Buddhist teachings in eastern Iowa. Please consider making a donation today.
DONATE NOW!
WE OFFER OUR MEDITATION IN THE TRADITION OF GENEROSITY…
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center continues the 2600-year-old Buddhist tradition of providing the teachings freely to all who are interested. We have no paid staff and the center is run entirely by volunteers. We are able to offer meditation without charge to the public due to the generosity of our members. If you begin coming to the center regularly, please become a member to support our programs. If you come once in a while please consider making a small donation for that day.
To send membership by mail please send checks to:
Milarepa Buddhist Center of Iowa
1907 G Street
Iowa City, IA 52240