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.
Upcoming Events
DRUPON PALKYI TEACHING IN IOWA CITY
A weekend of Meditation Instruction & Practice
MEDICINE BUDDHA • SHAMATA • VIPASSANA
May 15 – May 17, 2026
Medicine Buddha, the Buddha of Healing, offers a profound refuge and healing in times of uncertainty and unrest — and this retreat invites us to receive and offer that refuge through meditation practice.
Mornings are devoted to the Medicine Buddha sadhana: visualization, mantra, and shared aspiration for the healing of ourselves and the world. Afternoons offer step-by-step instruction in shamata (calm abiding) and vipassana (insight) — the foundational practices of all Buddhist meditation.
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.
About Drupon Palkyi
Drupon Palkyi is a highly accomplished teacher in the Drikung Kagyu lineage. She completed the traditional Three-Year Retreat practicing the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa, and holds the Drupon (retreat master) title.
Since 2013 she has served as resident lama at Drikung Garchen Institute in Munich — the European center of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche.
Fully trained female Tibetan lamas teaching in the West remain rare. Drupon Palkyi is one of them. This is her second visit to Garchen Mila Center, and she will guide participants through each session with warmth and depth.
MEDICINE BUDDHA RETREAT:
information & registration
no experience necessary – come as you are
Friday, May 15 | 6:30pm–8:00pm
Introduction to Medicine Buddha Practice
An introduction to Sangye Menla, the Buddha of Healing, and the practice that invokes him. Drupon Palkyi will guide us through the visualization, mantra, and meaning of the practice we’ll do together over the weekend.
Saturday, May 16 | 9:30am–noon
Achi Chokyi Drolma practice then
Medicine Buddha practice as a sangha
Each morning opens with Achi Chokyi Drolma, the Drikung lineage’s protector who clears outer and inner obstacles. We’ll then chant the Medicine Buddha sadhana together — mantra, visualization, and shared aspiration for the healing of ourselves and the world.
Saturday, May 16 | 1:30pm–4:00pm
Instruction in Shamata meditation
—developing stability in calm abiding
Step-by-step instruction in the foundational practice of stabilizing the mind. Calm abiding is the ground all other practice rests on — and is itself healing, releasing agitation and returning the mind to its natural ease.
Sunday, May 17 | 9:30am–noon
Achi Chokyi Drolma practice then
Medicine Buddha practice as a sangha
On Sunday morning we will continue practicing the Medicine Buddha sadhana together, deepening Saturday’s practice.
Sunday, May 17 | 1:30pm–4:00pm
Instruction in Vipassana meditation
—gaining insight into the nature of mind
Building on Saturday’s calm-abiding instruction, we turn toward insight — looking directly at the nature of mind and experience. In the Tibetan tradition, this is the practice that cuts the root of suffering at its source.
REGISTRATION
This retreat is offered on a sliding scale donation basis — please choose the level that feels right for your financial situation. All are welcome regardless of ability to pay.
Supported rate — $45 (for those with limited financial means)
Standard rate — $90 (suggested for most participants)
Sustaining rate — $120 (for those who are able to give a little more)
Benefactor rate — $150 (for those who wish to support others’ participation)
No-one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If cost is a barrier, please reach out at sangha@milarepaiowa.org.
Your generosity sustains our center and makes these teachings available to everyone.
VOLUNTEER
A retreat is held up by many hands. If you’d like to contribute — through cleanup, transportation, offering a meal, or anything else — we’d be grateful to hear from you. Volunteering is itself a practice, and a beautiful way to connect with the sangha.
Email sangha@milarepaiowa.org to volunteer.
LOCATION
Friday thru Sunday events will be held at Garchen Mila Buddhist Center:
The Paul Helen Building
209 E Washington St., Suite 200, Iowa City, 52240
Several parking garages are located nearby.
Out of Town Guests:
The nearest airport is The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID). It is in Cedar Rapids, about 30 minutes from Iowa City. If you are flying in from out of town, let us know and a sangha member can pick you up at the airport: admin@activateiowa.org
WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO PREPARE
Seating: Both meditation cushions and chairs are available.
What to wear: Dress comfortably in clothing that allows you to sit for extended periods — loose, layered clothing works well. The temperature in the practice space can shift, so a light sweater or shawl is often appreciated. Please remove your shoes before entering the practice area.
Bring: A water bottle, a notebook if you’d like to take notes, and any personal practice items you may have.
Arriving: Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in. The Center is on the second floor of the Paul-Helen Building (209 E Washington St., Suite 200). The elevator opens directly to our doorway, and the building is accessible.
No experience necessary. Whether this is your first time meditating or you’ve practiced for years, you are warmly welcome. Drupon Palkyi will guide each session step by step.
Lunch. On Saturday and Sunday, lunch is on your own. The retreat is located in downtown Iowa City, so there are plenty of nearby restaurants to explore on foot. We often take lunch together with Drupon Palkyi at a nearby Indian restaurant. Everyone is welcome to join us there.
A NOTE ON TRADITIONAL ETIQUETTE
A few small customs from the Tibetan tradition that may be helpful to know:
Please don’t point your feet toward the lama, the shrine, or sacred texts. If you’re seated on the floor, simply tuck your feet under you or to the side. If sitting comfortably this way isn’t possible for your body, using a chair is entirely welcome and respectful.
Please don’t place sacred texts or dharma books directly on the floor. Books and texts are treated as embodiments of the teachings themselves. We have small tables for texts.
You may notice people standing when the lama enters or leaves the room, and bowing or placing palms together at the heart in greeting. You’re welcome to follow along when it feels natural, or simply observe.
There’s no expectation that newcomers know all the forms — the teachers care most about your willingness to be present and practice. Relax and follow along.
Weekly Schedule, Spring 2026
Our weekly practices meet at Garchen Mila Buddhist Center — on the second floor of the Paul-Helen Building, 209 East Washington Street, Suite 200, in downtown Iowa City. Cushions and chairs are both available. (In July we will be moving to a lovely new location. Directions and location coming soon.)
A note on dana. There is no fee and no registration for our weekly practices. In the Buddhist tradition, our weekly programs are offered without a price — but not without cost. Dana is the practice of generosity that has sustained the dharma for 2,500 years: the center offers freely, trusting that those who receive will give back what they can, so the teachings remain available to the next person who needs them. A donation box is located near the entrance. Even a small donation of a few dollars is appreciated and needed. If you attend regularly, please consider supporting the center with a recurring gift.
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.
Fridays | 3:30–5:00pm
HEART OF REFUGE: Friday afternoon practice
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| 10:00–11:15am
MEDITATION & DHARMA DISCUSSION
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. More about Om Ah Hung meditation practice
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
Information & Location
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.
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.
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).
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.
