WE HAVE MOVED: Join us at 1724 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52245
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.
A Request for Prayers for
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
We have moved!
Updates, Teachings & Prayer Sessions
from the Garchen Institute
August 3, 2026
Update on H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s Health
10:00am–noon and 3:00–5:00pm PDT (UTC-7)
noon-2pm and 5:00–7:00pm Central Time
Dear Worldwide Sangha,
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is showing signs of slowly recovering. While it is still too early to predict the outcome, these small improvements are encouraging. Recovery is often gradual and can fluctuate, so we remain hopeful while recognizing that the path ahead is still uncertain.
Many Lamas have assembled at the Garchen Institute to do daily pujas for the long life of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. The pujas will all be in Tibetan language and we do not have these translated texts for you to view.
You all are invited to join online to meditate and pray as Garchen Rinpoche has previously instructed. Please remember in Garchen Rinpoche’s recent message he stressed the importance of staying where you are to practice.
May our collective devotion and the strength of our sincere aspirations continue to create the most favorable conditions for Garchen Rinpoche, for the benefit of the Dharma and all beings.
Following H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s instructions on what to practice now:
Four Applications of Mindfulness Teaching by Khenpo Tenzin
Click for link
Materials:
Composed by Sogan Rinpoche
Tibetan/English
View
Amitabha Sadhana – by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Tibetan/English
View
Download
An Aspiration for Birth in the Pure Realm of Sukhavati
English only
View
Download
Amitabha Rainbow Spheres
Garchen Rinpoche’s description of his vision of infinite Amitabha’s within rainbow spheres.
Trilingual, Tibetan / English / Chinese.
from the Garchen Institute
July 31, 2026
MESSAGE from H.E. GARCHEN RINPOCHE
Click for Video Recording
Tashi delek!
Please don’t worry. Meditate on the Four Applications of Mindfulness for my well-being. First, discuss them with each other and then meditate on them. Don’t do any other recitations, just meditate on the Four Applications of Mindfulness.
Stay wherever you are.
Receive teachings on the Four Applications of Mindfulness and discuss them with each other, again and again. The Four Applications of Mindfulness, the Four Applications of Mindfulness…
If you want to perform a ritual, recite the short Amitabha sadhana, recite Amitabha’s mantra, and recite Karma Chagmé’s Aspiration Prayer of Birth in Dewachen once. It would be good to discuss everything with each other. Other than that, you don’t need to recite anything else.
When you are meeting as a group in a temple, recite whatever practice is done, but you don’t need to recite anything else. Practice the Amitabha sadhana, accumulate the Amitabha mantra, and practice the Amidewa visualization.
The visualization is the most important point.
The visualization is the most important point.
Dear Friends,
After 3 years on the second floor of the Paul-Helen Building, Garchen Mila Buddhist Center is moving to a new home. Ellen Marie and Naomi have bought the house so that the Center will have a home of its own. They brought the idea to Garchen Rinpoche who not only blessed the plan but encouraged them wholeheartedly to carry it out. The Board will send more about the arrangements in September.
Our first practice in the new space will be Wednesday, August 5, at 5:15pm — our usual silent meditation, in a new room. The first Sunday at the new center will be August 9. Everyone is welcome, whether you’ve been sitting with us for years or have never walked through our door.
OUR NEW HOME: 1724 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52245
PARKING: Our new home is in a residential neighborhood. Please be mindful and space parking out so that it isn’t a burden on any one neighbor.
ACCESSIBILITY: There are two steps to negotiate at this house. We are having a new sidewalk installed as soon as possible. In the meantime, please be careful on the cobblestones. As always, please remove your shoes inside the house. Cushions and chairs are both available.
WHAT’S CHANGING, WHAT ISN’T
Our weekly schedule stays the same: silent meditation Wednesdays at 5:15pm and Sunday meditation and dharma discussion at 10:00–11:15am. Heart of Refuge will resume on Friday afternoons in September.
Our last gathering at 209 East Washington will be Sunday, August 2. There will be no interruption to our regular practice.
A center isn’t really a room or a house — it’s the people who show up week after week and sit down together. We dedicate this house as a place for the Dharma to really take root in Iowa City. We’re grateful for every one of you, and we hope to see you in August.
With warm wishes,
The Garchen Mila Board of Directors
sangha@milarepaiowa.org
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The move brings real costs, and a home of our own brings ongoing ones. Please help us fulfill Garchen Rinpoche’s wish for a stable, permanent Dharma center in Iowa City. A one-time offering or a recurring gift would mean a great deal.
Weekly Schedule, Summer 2026
Wednesdays | 5:15–6pm
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.
Fridays | 3:30–5pm
HEART OF REFUGE:
*Friday afternoon practice will resume in September*
On Friday afternoons we have a sitting with two practices from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition: White Tara for healing and protection, Medicine Buddha for suffering of body and mind. Come sit with us. No experience necessary. Drop in when you can.
Sundays| 10–11:15am
MEDITATION & DHARMA DISCUSSION
On Sunday morning, we 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. More about Om Ah Hung meditation practice
Making an Offering
A note on dana. Dana is the practice of generosity that has sustained the dharma for 2,500 years: the center offers the teachings freely, trusting that those who receive will give back what they can, so the teachings remain available to the next person who needs them.
In keeping with this tradition, our weekly programs have no fee and no registration — but we rely entirely on the generosity of those who attend to keep the Center open. A donation box is located near the entrance, and even a few dollars helps. If you attend regularly, please consider supporting the center with a recurring gift.
Zoom Sangha
Weekdays | 10:00–11:00am
ZOOM DAILY PRACTICE
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
We are moving! – new center information as of August 5
LOCATION: The Dharma Center is at 1724 Morningside Drive, in a residential neighborhood on the east side of Iowa City.
ACCESSIBILITY: There are two small steps to negotiate at the entrance. A new sidewalk is being installed; in the meantime, please be careful on the cobblestones. If the steps are a barrier for you, write to sangha@milarepaiowa.org and we will make arrangements.
PARKING: Street parking is available in the neighborhood. Please spread out along the street so the burden doesn’t fall on any one neighbor, and take care not to block driveways.
HEALTH: Please do not attend if you are feeling at all ill or know that you have been exposed to a contagious disease.
SEATING options include both cushions and chairs. Kindly take off your shoes before entering the practice area.
This only works because of you.
Your giving sustains our space, brings teachers like Drupon Palkyi 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 or a one-time offering — whatever feels right for your circumstances.
Garchen Mila Buddhist Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible.
