Pre-register for In Person Services

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Here’s the link to the “Introduction to Meditation” Signup for Sunday May 22nd. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-meditation-tickets-318506309947

And here’s the link to the “Introduction to Buddhism: Understanding Lineage” Signup for Sunday May 22nd. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-buddhism-understanding-lineage-tickets-318510953837

*Weekly Sunday chant programs will remain virtual only (webcast on the Zoom platform) until further notice. Pre-registration is no longer required for the 10:00 Group Meditation or the 11:30 Dharma talk.


Oh, and Smile – You Will Be On Camera!

Although we’re returning to in-person programs, we will still be serving our Zoom and livestream audiences. So you might see signs in the Classroom and Shrine Room reminding you that by entering the room, you agree to be seen on camera for the folks watching from home. 

You can find more information and instructions to join our online sessions in our virtual shrine room.

To help support these virtual programs and other activities sponsored by Columbus KTC, please consider making a donation.

Welcome Home Meetings RESCHEDULED for THIS Saturday!

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Thanks to all our friends for their understanding when we rescheduled our “Welcome Home” tours last weekend due to wintry weather. With some folks coming from out of town, we wanted to be cautious and protect our friends from possibly dangerous driving conditions.


The events have been rescheduled for THIS Saturday, March 19. All tickets from March 12 will be honored; there is no need to re-register.


There are still some spaces available for the 1:30 to 3 PM session. 


You can sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welcome-home-tour-meditation-at-ktc-on-saturday-march-19-afternoon-tickets-273641798987


Questions or problems? Contact Lama Kathy: lamakathy@columbusktc.org

Ready for Refuge? Pop-up Refuge Ceremony THIS Saturday, March 19!

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If you’ve been thinking about Taking Refuge in the Buddhist tradition, your opportunity is coming up fast. 
To answer a request from an out-of-town dharma student, KTC will have an indoor pop-up Refuge Ceremony at the KTC at 3:30 PM THIS Saturday.


The Refuge Vow Ceremony is a person’s formal entrance to the Buddhist path. During the one-hour (or less) ceremony, the student sits in front of a Dharma teacher and takes refuge in the Buddha as their teacher, the Dharma as their path and the Sangha as their community. They receive a Dharma name, a picture of the Buddha, and brief instructions for daily practice.


Want more information? 

Here’s a link to a short article about Refuge by our founder, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8rg7zcftnpzerl6/TakingRefugeWithKKR.pdf?dl=0


Here’s an explainer for what to bring to the ceremony:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o81bo5n40zuou3u97vlfo/Information-sheet-about-KTC-Refuge-Ceremony.docx?dl=0&rlkey=cs0am9m8f8t8275optrxw21x5


For questions, or to sign up, write Lama Kathy at lamakathy@columbusktc.org

Our COVID Guidelines!

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Columbus KTC created a few guidelines to help ensure the safety of everyone inside our building. These guidelines were developed by local medical professionals in conjunction with CDC recommendations and local mandates and will be adjusted as conditions related to COVID change. 
Here are the guidelines:

  • Columbus KTC offers programs both in-person and virtually. If you wish to attend an in-person program, please pre-register ahead of time. We’ll keep a few spots available for walk-ins but can’t guarantee a spot will be available without pre-registration. 

If you arrive and a spot for the program you hope to attend is not available, we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and hope you will join the program virtually and come back to attend a future program some other time.  

  • While inside the building, everyone must wear a mask including children. The CDC recommends wearing masks that completely cover your nose, mouth and chin. 
  • We ask that children under the age of two stay home until the COVID situation in central Ohio improves. 
  • No food or drinks other than water will be served in the building. When drinking, please put your mask back on right away. 
  • Weekly and special event pujas offered virtually only. Please check our website for links to our virtual programs. . 

If following these guidelines for in-person programs creates a hardship in any way, we recommend you attend our programs virtually. Please find links for our virtual programs here: https://columbusktc.org/schedule/virtual-shrine-room/
Thank you again for your cooperation with following these guidelines and helping to keep everyone safe. We will provide updates to these guidelines as they are developed.

KTC Opens for Regular Sunday Programs March 20!

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Pre-registration for March 20 and 27, and April 3 and 10

After six years of waiting – after an arson fire moved us into borrowed spaces for four years, and a pandemic kept us from meeting in person for two years more – Columbus KTC will at last be open in its new location on Sunday March 20, 2022!


We know everyone would like to attend on opening day, and we would like to accommodate as many people as possible, but with Franklin County still listed as an area of “medium spread” of COVID cases on the Centers for Disease Control website, we will be limiting attendees for the first several weeks and asking our dharma friends to take turns, using a pre-registration system on the EventBrite platform for the first four Sundays: March 20, 27 and April 3 and 10.


In Person, Except for Chant Practices


Also, due to advice regarding the high risk of COVID transmission through choral singing, our “Regular Sunday Program” for these first four weeks will consist of three non-chanting programs:
1. “Regular Sunday Programs,” consisting of Quiet Meditation in the shrine room from 10 AM to 11 AM, followed by a conversation break at 11 AM and the weekly Sunday Dharma Talk at 11:30 AM.2. “Introduction to Meditation” class from 10 AM to 11 AM in the Classroom3. “Introduction to Buddhism” class from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Classroom
Weekly Sunday chant programs will remain virtual (webcast on the Zoom platform) until further notice.
Pre-Registration “Tickets” are free, and we will post a new “Regular Sunday” signup on Sunday evenings, March 20, 27, and April 3. 


How Many Can Attend?


Each of our three Sunday programs will have limited attendance for the first four weeks.
The KTC shrine room can accommodate 174 people in chairs, but considerably less on meditation cushions, so we will limit attendance for the “Regular Sunday Programs” in the shrine room to 75 people each week for the first four Sundays.
The Classroom can seat 75 people in chairs, but far less on meditation cushions. We will limit attendance at both “Introduction to Meditation” and “Introduction to Buddhism” to 25 attendees.


How Do We Sign Up?

Here’s the link to our “Regular Sunday Program”  for March 20th Signup. All tickets are for the in-person program: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-ktcs-regular-sunday-morning-program-march-20-2022-tickets-292141823057


Here’s the link to the “Introduction to Meditation” Signup. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-meditation-tickets-232616812147


And here’s the link to the “Introduction to Buddhism” Signup. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-buddhism-the-three-vehicles-tickets-232620493157


Oh, and Smile – You Will Be On Camera!

Although we’re returning to in-person programs, we will still be serving our Zoom and livestream audiences. So you might see signs in the Classroom and Shrine Room reminding you that by entering the room, you agree to be seen on camera for the folks watching from home. 
If you have any concerns, let us know: info@columbusktc.org.

KTC Has a New Dream Flag!

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Six years ago, on Jan. 31, 2016, an arson fire destroyed the Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center at the southwest corner of West Rich and South Grubb streets in Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood. 

While fire was leaping from the roof of the burning building, KTC’s symbolic prayer flag, flying from a pole attached to the top of the building, was in danger of being destroyed by the fire. 

However, the flag, known as the Namkhyen Gyaldar or “Dream Flag,” appeared to wrap itself around its pole during the fighting of the fire, and when the fire was out, the flag unfurled itself and fluttered gently in the breeze. 

Amazed that the wind-battered flag was untouched by fire, KTC leaders eagerly agreed when crews from the Columbus Division of Fire offered to retrieve it for them. Firefighter Mark Foster, a veteran with decades of service, climbed up Ladder 1 and unhooked the flag, presenting it to KTC Director Kim Miracle. The flag then became a symbol of the small congregation’s resolve to rebuild after the fire, and today’s ceremony is a testament to what one community can do to care for their own.

On Saturday March 5, Firefighter Foster repeated his flag task in reverse, climbing up the ladder to attach a new Dream Flag to the new pole on top of the KTC.

It’s an honor to do this,” Mr. Foster said.  Usually, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel see people “on the worst day of their life,” so it is always good when they get to participate in a joyful occasion.

About 50 people from all over attended the March 5 flag-raising ceremony in the KTC Parking Lot. The flag-raising is of several opening events planned for the coming week.
Channel 4 WCMH news covered both the fire and the flag-raising. Here is their coverage from this past weekend: https://youtu.be/eFNCf7wrLkw

Extra thanks to the Columbus Division of Fire, KTC Ron Hess (who donated a new hand-sewn flag from the Flag Lady’s store) and representatives from the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, who attended the flag-raising on behalf of their organization.
May all beings benefit!