Who We Are

Our mission and values

Who We Are

The Columbus KTC was established in 1977 by our Founder, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, as a center of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Since that time – for more than 40 years – we have worked to be a beacon of the Buddha’s teachings in Central Ohio.

An all-volunteer organization that supports itself through the generosity of its members and donors, KTC welcomes all people to learn about mindfulness and goodness through the teachings of the Buddha.

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

Our Mission

The Mission of the Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling is to provide, for all levels of practitioners, a respectful and open community for the study, practice, and activities of Buddhism of the Karma Kagyu tradition under the guidance of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra and His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje.

Our Inclusion Statement

We at Columbus KTC are committed to building individual and community peace by finding common ground and creating an environment in which everyone is seen, heard, known, and valued.

We have witnessed and been challenged by systemic discrimination and the suffering caused by biases, prejudices, privilege, and oppression based on race, sex, class, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other background or identity.

According to the Buddha’s view, we all suffer, and we all seek to be happy. Our intention is to fully awaken our hearts and minds, not just for ourselves, but for all beings.

Through actions of loving kindness, compassion, generosity, and wisdom, we aspire to honor differences and celebrate uniqueness in recognition of our interconnectedness.