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.
Summer 2024 . Weekly Schedule
“What does it mean to study Buddhism? It means that you cultivate a mind of love and compassion for others.” – H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
MONDAYS–FRIDAYS
Daily Prayers & Practices with Khenpo Samdup ~on zoom
Mondays – Fridays, 10:00 am–11:15 am
Virtual Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice, Smoke Offering & Parnashavari Practice.
DETAILS
Let’s stay connected! Please join our community of devoted Dharma practitioners as we come together on Zoom.us to study and practice the dharma under the leadership of Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche and senior practitioners.
Location:
Zoom only | CLICK HERE TO REQUEST ZOOM LINK
No registration or fee, drop-in
SUNDAYS
OM AH HUNG Meditation Practice
Sundays, 9:30–10:15am
A guided meditation to purify afflictive emotions.
DETAILS
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 –in downtown Iowa City
209 East Washington Street, Suite 200
No registration or fee, drop-in. Regular visitors are invited to become a member.
Chenrezig Meditation Practice
Sundays, 10:30–11:15am
Joyful meditation to realize our own compassion.
DETAILS
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 –in downtown Iowa City
209 East Washington Street, Suite 200
No registration or fee, drop-in. Regular visitors are invited to become a member.
MONTHLY PRACTICES & EVENTS
Sangha Lunch at India Cafe
1st Sundays | August 4
Join us for lunch and chatting.
DETAILS
This is an opportunity for us to get together and relax. Everyone welcome!!
Location:
India Cafe is located at 227 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240
SATURDAYS
Saturday Meditation & Discussion will resume September 7th
Green Tara Meditation
Discussion: The Heart of Compassion
Saturdays, 9:30-10:15 & 10:30–11:15am
Upcoming Special Event
Please welcome Drupon Palkyi as she embarks on her North American Tour. Drupon Palkyi brings with her a wealth of spiritual wisdom and experience cultivated through years of dedicated practice and study. Originally from Tibet, she received her education and training as a retreat master at the esteemed Drikung Samtenling Nunnery in Dehradun, India.
Following her philosophy studies, Drupon Palkyi embarked on a traditional Three-Year-Retreat in 2008, immersing herself in the profound teachings of the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. Her unwavering commitment to spiritual practice led her to the Drikung Garchen Institute in Munich, Germany, where she has served as a resident lama. There, she guides practitioners through teachings, group practices, and retreats, enriching the spiritual lives of countless individuals with her deep knowledge and compassionate guidance.
In Iowa City, Drupon Palkyi will offer a White Tara empowerment and teachings.
FAQ
- Do I have to come to all the teachings?: No. The registration is set up on an event-by-event basis.
- I am not very experienced in Buddhism – is it really ok for me to attend these events?: Absolutely! All of our events our open to people of all levels of experience with the Dharma.
- The suggested donations are a bit much for me. Is there another way to make an offering? Yes – Just let us know and we can work something out with you. Email us at admin@milarepaiowa.org.
- I have never been to the center – can I still attend some of these events? Yes, please feel free to attend any of these events.
MORE INFORMATION
- Registration: Registration is required for special events held at the Dharma Center.
- Volunteering: To volunteer for one or all of these events, including lama-care, cooking and transportation – please contact us at admin@milarepaiowa.org
- Arrival: Please arrive 15 minutes early for events to get settled in.
- Health Policy: Vaccination against Covid19 is encouraged for all visitors. Please refrain from attending 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. (We will refund your donation if you become ill before or during the retreat events.)
- Seating Options: include both cushions and chairs.
- Posture Custom: It is customary in a Dharma setting to not have your feet pointed towards the lama or the shrine.
- Flowers: If you would like to make an offering of a bouquet of flowers for the Shrine that is most welcome. Please bring a vase for the flowers. Please arrive early to get them set up.
- Lunch: We will take lunch on Saturday together at the India Cafe. We will pay for our meals individually.
- About Lama Visits: We have put together this page that provides some information about elements of a lama visit – including empowerments.
- Questions: If you have questions – please text Ellen Marie at 937-244-1961
- 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
