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 2026 . Weekly Schedule
WEDNESDAYS | 5:15–6:00pm
Silent Meditation: Building Inner Calm
Calm abiding meditation, offers an opportunity to cultivate stillness and stability of mind, free from distraction and agitation. We will gather at 5:15pm and begin meditation at 5:20pm.
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.
FRIDAYS | 3:30–5:00pm
Heart of Refuge: Friday Afternoon Practice
We’re trying something new on Friday afternoons — a sitting with three practices from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition: White Tara for healing and protection, Medicine Buddha for suffering of body and mind, and Achi Chokyi Drolma for clearing obstacles. Come sit with us. No experience necessary. Drop in when you can.
White Tara Practice
Medicine Buddha Practice
Achi Chokyi Drolma 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 make a recurring donation. 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 | 10:00–11:15am
Meditation & Dharma Study
Each Sunday morning, we’ll share a guided compassion meditation, using the Tibetan mantra “Om Ah Hung.” We will also read and reflect together on core Buddhist teachings. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re new to meditation or have an established 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.
Zoom Sangha
DAILY PRACTICE
Weekdays | 10:00–11:00am
Join Khenpo Samdup and international sangha online
Join us 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. 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. ] Questions: sangha@milarepaiowa.org
TEXTS for download: Daily Practice Book
Supporting our Sangha
Dear Friends,
Every week our doors open freely to anyone seeking meditation and dharma. This is possible because of you. Our center runs entirely on volunteer time and the generosity of our community. As we enter this giving season, we’re asking for your support to keep our practice space open and welcoming to all.
Please consider:
-
Making a recurring or one-time donation: Donate HERE
-
Mailing a check to:
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
The Paul Helen Building
209 E Washington St., Suite 200
Iowa City, 52240
Your generosity sustains this refuge in the heart of Iowa City.
Thank you for being part of our sangha!
With gratitude, Ellen Marie, Naomi & Catherine
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
Upcoming Events
GREAT DHARMA PROTECTOR
ACHI CHOKYI DROLMA
with Drupon Tsering Rinpoche
April 30-May 3, 2026
Achi Chokyi Drolma is revered as the Great Dharma Protectoress of the Buddha’s teachings and practiced across Tibetan Buddhist lineages. She embodies the wisdom and activities of all the buddhas and is the divine mother of the Buddha.
Achi Chokyi Drolma is invoked to remove outer and inner obstacles, to protect from harm, and to create positive conditions for spiritual and worldly success. Whoever practices the meditation and prayer of Achi Chokyi Drolma and appeals to her with full devotion will be freed from all kinds of unfavorable circumstances and obstacles in this life, as well as obstacles connected with Dharma practice.
Whether you are new to Tibetan Buddhism or a longtime practitioner, this program offers something meaningful. Drupon Tsering will guide participants through each session with care and clarity — no prior experience is required.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm–8:00pm | location TBA
Talk: Safeguarding Compassion in an Age of Anger
Friday, May 1, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Achi Chokyi Drolma Empowerment
(a ceremonial blessing and introduction to the practice)
Saturday, May 2, 9:30am–noon & 2:00–4:00pm
Achi Chokyi Drolma teaching, practice, Q & A
Saturday, May 2 | 6:00pm | location TBA
Achi Chokyi Drolma smoke offering practice
Sunday, May 3 | 9:30am–noon
Achi Chokyi Drolma teaching, practice, Q & A
Sunday, May 3 | 2:00–4:00pm
One-on-one talk/s with Drupon Tsering
All events will be held at Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
unless otherwise specified:
The Paul Helen Building
209 E Washington St., Suite 200, Iowa City, 52240
Registration Required. Link coming soon!
MEDICINE BUDDHA RETREAT
with Drupon Palkyi
May 15-17, 2026
Medicine Buddha, known in Tibetan as Sangye Menla, is the Buddha of Healing — revered across all Tibetan Buddhist lineages as the embodiment of the healing power of all enlightened beings. He is depicted radiating lapis lazuli light, his very form a symbol of the purification of suffering and the limitless compassion of awakened mind.
In this time of collective uncertainty, division, and unrest, the practice of Medicine Buddha offers a profound refuge. When fear and anger cloud the mind, we lose access to our own innate wisdom and compassion — and it is precisely here that Medicine Buddha’s healing power is most needed. This retreat invites us to pause, to turn inward, and to cultivate the clarity and equanimity that allow us to meet the challenges of our world with an open and steady heart. The healing we seek for ourselves ripples outward, becoming a source of peace for all those around us.
Whether you are new to Tibetan Buddhism or a longtime practitioner, this program offers something profound and accessible. Drupon Palkyi will guide participants through each session with warmth and depth — no prior experience is required.
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 15 | 6:30-8:00
Teaching: On Practicing Medicine Buddha for World Peace
Saturday, May 16 | 9:30-noon & 1:30pm–4:00pm
Medicine Buddha teaching, practice, Q&A
Saturday, May 16 | 6:00-7:00pm
Releasing the Guru Rinpoche stones
Sunday, May 17 | 9:30-noon & 1:30pm–4:00pm
Medicine Buddha teaching, practice, Q&A
Sunday, May 17 | noon-1:30pm
Sangha lunch at India Cafe Sunday, May 17
All events will be held at Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
unless otherwise specified:
The Paul Helen Building
209 E Washington St., Suite 200, Iowa City, 52240
Registration Required. Link coming soon!
Information & Location
HEALTH: Please do not attend if you are feeling at all ill or know that you have been exposed to a contagious disease.
DANA-Generosity. Our programs are offered 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).
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.
-
Mailing a check to:
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
The Paul Helen Building
209 E Washington St., Suite 200
Iowa City, 52240
