Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling

Midday Meditation
2025-07-09 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-07-02 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-06-25 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-06-18 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-06-11 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-06-04 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-05-28 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-05-21 12:15 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Zoom Meeting
Virtual Midday Meditation occurs each Wednesday afternoon from 12:15-1:30.
See the Virtual Shrine Room for the most recent Zoom link.

Chenrezig Chant
2025-07-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
Virtual Chenrezig Chant occurs weekly on Tuesday evenings.
See the Virtual Shrine Room for the most recent Zoom link.

KTC Kids Class
2025-07-06 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-15 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-01 11:30 - 12:30 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Thanks to the work of a dedicated core of volunteers, the KTC Children’s Class started with smiles and applause in October 2023.

Meeting in the Children’s Room on the lower level of the KTC from 11:30 to 12:30 on the First and Third Sundays of the month, youths ages 5-10 practice meditation together, hear stories told by the Buddha about virtuous actions (called Jataka Tales), do yoga poses, make crafts, play games and light candles on the special Youth Shrine and pray for those in need.

Activities are aimed at younger children, but those up to age 12 are welcome to attend.

Please register your child ahead of time through our Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/ktc-childrens-program…

Questions or interested in volunteering? Please email kids@columbusktc.org.

Sunday Dharma Programs (Hybrid)
2025-07-06 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-29 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-22 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-15 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-08 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-01 08:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-25 08:00 - 12:30 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
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 opened its new location on Sunday March 20, 2022!
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 the full schedule for the current week 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.

Sadhana Saturday Workshop: The Practice of Amitabha
2025-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Mantra practice (sometimes called “sadhana” practice in Sanskrit) is part of our weekly and monthly practice calendar here at Columbus KTC.
These short but profound meditation practices can help us connect to our inner qualities of love, compassion, healing, and wisdom. But since many are chanted in Tibetan, they can be a little difficult to approach.
To help our sangha members feel comfortable and welcome to attend our regular sadhana practices, we are offering these occasional workshops to help folks connect to mantra practice.
This month, Cathy Lhamo Jackson will offer a special two-hour workshop on the mantra practice of Amitabha Buddha, known as the Buddha of Boundless Light.
Topics covered will be the history of Dewachen (Pure Realm) practice, the short Amitabha sadhana by Namchu Mingyur Dorje, the principles of mantra meditation, and step-by-step instructions on how to learn and benefit from Tibetan Buddhist visualization meditation.
Practitioners of all experience levels are welcome to attend. There are no special prerequisites for this class. Students will receive links to download a short Amitabha chant practice PDF and a PDF of a teaching outline for the class.
ABOUT TICKETS: Tickets to attend the program are by donation; amounts as low as $1 will secure you a spot in the class. Donations benefit Columbus KTC’s Operations Fund, which helps support our center and its activities.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE financial means, or have difficulty registering online, please write lamakathy@columbusktc.org and she will register you at no cost.
The Program will be offered in-person at KTC and on Zoom.
ZOOM STUDENTS MUST HAVE an internet connection, email capability, and download the Zoom application in order to attend. Zoom software is available here: https://zoom.us
Can’t attend but want to help KTC’s operations fund?
Hop over to our KTC donations page at this link: https://www.columbusktc.org/product/columbus-ktc-general-operating-fund/
Register here

Solstice Shamatha Retreat
2025-06-21 09:30 - 15:30 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Mindfulness Meditation is our foundation as practicing Buddhists. By practicing basic quiet sitting meditation (called Shamatha in Sanskrit), we develop more awareness of our thoughts and motivations. As a result, an innate gentleness toward ourselves and others emerges.
Extended periods of shamatha meditation help us deepen our practice by giving us a chance to work with thoughts, distractions, and resistance that may not come up in shorter meditation sessions.
Lama Kathy Wesley will provide brief talks at intervals during the retreat. She will also be available for interviews with participants who would like to discuss their practice.
KTC Meditation Instructor and Director Chuck Drake will act as umdze.
The program will be offered in-person only at KTC. Those attending should bring a vegetarian sack lunch. Water, coffee, and tea will be provided.
To promote a mindful atmosphere, Functional Talking (i.e., only for essential quick communication) will be strongly encouraged.
If you’d like to attend only part of this retreat, you are welcome to do so. When you arrive, quietly join the retreatants in the shrine room.
ABOUT LAMA KATHY
Kathy Wesley (Lama Gyurme Chötsö) has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1977. She participated in the first three-year retreat led by Khenpo Rinpoche at Karmé Ling Retreat Center in upstate New York, and thus earned the title of ‘retreat lama.’ Lama Kathy serves at the Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling as its Resident Teacher and travels to other Buddhist centers throughout the country to share the dharma. She lives in Newark, Ohio with her husband, Mike.
ABOUT CHUCK DRAKE
Chuck Drake is a meditation instructor for Columbus KTC though he now spends most of his time serving as KTC’s administrative Director. Chuck took refuge with Khenpo Karthar in 1981 and, in 1988, he attended a summer-long buddhist seminary at Rocky Mountain Dharma Center in Colorado. Chuck started attending Columbus KTC regularly in 2012. He has also served as Treasurer and Assistant Director. Chuck is married to Mylynda Drake. Except for his KTC duties, he is now retired.

Register here

Refuge Vow Teaching and Ceremony with Lama Tom Broadwater
2025-06-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Half-Hour Pre-Vow Teaching, followed by one-hour ceremony – In-Person only
In response to dharma students’ requests, KTC lamas will offer the Refuge Vow in a special program from 1 PM to 3 PM Saturday June 14 at Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling.
The Refuge Vow Ceremony marks the beginning of a dharma student’s training. It is the formal entering of the Buddhist path.
In the Ceremony, those Taking Refuge take the Buddha as their teacher, the Dharma as their path and the Sangha (dharma community) as their guides and companions.
The Refuge Vow is the foundation of all other Buddhist ceremonies and training. Those who Take Refuge receive a Refuge Name and basic teachings on how to begin their Buddhist path.
Those Taking Refuge may welcome family and friends to observe their ceremony. A short teaching on the meaning of the Refuge Vow will be given before the ceremony. Those who have already Taken Refuge are welcome to participate again to renew their Refuge Vows.

SCHEDULE
1:00 PM TO 2 PM – Preliminary Teaching
2 PM to 3 PM – Vow Ceremony
Pre-Requisites: Before a person takes the Refuge Vow, it is helpful to read about the vow and the ceremony.
At this link, you will find several articles about Taking Refuge and the ceremony at KTC. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o81bo5n40zuou3u97vlfo/Information-sheet-about-KTC-Refuge-Ceremony.docx?dl=0&rlkey=[REDACTED]
Want to Take Refuge? Please RSVP by emailing Lama Kathy at lamakathy@columbusktc.org.
What to Bring: If you wish to make an offering, white offering scarves (katas) and envelopes will be provided at the KTC.
Want to Read More? Here’s a link to Lama Kathy’s article about the Tibetan Buddhist Path, and where the Refuge Vow fits in: http://www.lamakathy.net/resources/pdf/tib.buddhist_practices.pdf

Saka Dawa Festival of Aspirations
2025-06-11 09:30 - 12:00 | Columbus KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Saka Dawa is the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar, as it commemorates three pivotal events in the life of the Buddha – his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing away into parinirvana.
As such, it is said that the effects of virtuous actions done on this day are multiplied millions of times.
To take advantage of the blessings of this day, KTC will offer a session of Aspirational Prayers for Saka Dawa beginning at 9:30 AM on Wednesday June 11, 2025.
The one-hour prayer program will include a prayer of offering and praise to the Buddha, as well as one or two of the five main “monlams” (aspiration prayers) recited in our Karma Kagyu Buddhist tradition.
Saying these prayers helps us accumulate a mind of virtue, which in turn helps us see the power of love and wisdom in our lives and sets our spiritual course – both now, and in the future.
WEATHER PERMITTING, we will follow the prayer service with a Stupa Offering Ceremony at 10:30 AM. The KTC Shrine Room will be open for personal prayers and practice until 11:30 AM.

The Tashi Prayer (usually recited before the Chenrezig practice at KTC) can be downloaded at this link: https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Auspicious-Tashi-prayer-1.pdf
Refuge and Dedications: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1l8qrfwy71xexhf/refuge%20and%20dedications%20.pdf?dl=0
The Lama Rinpochema Prayer (usually recited in place of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoché’s longevity supplication): https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lama-Rinpochema.Both-translations.pdf
Praise of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha: https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Praise-of-the-12-Deeds-of-Buddha.pdf
Dedication from “The Way of the Bodhisattva”: https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4fcy48vtw8kz3t/Dedication%20from%20Bodhicaryavatara.pdf?dl=0
Aspiration of the Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning: https://columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Chakchen-Monlam.pdf

Introduction to Vajrayana: A Practice Intensive with Lama Kathy and Lama Tom
2025-05-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
This event will be ONLINE ONLY..
The historical Buddha Shakyamuni taught a progressive path to spiritual awakening, starting with mindfulness and ethical behavior, followed by the conscious development of love and compassion as spiritual principles, and the understanding of the limitless nature of mind.
Over time, these three distinct phases of his teachings became known as the “Three Yanas” – the Path of Individual Liberation (Hinayana); the Path of Liberation for All Beings (Mahayana); and the Path of the Indestructible Nature (Vajrayana). Each of these “yanas,” or paths, led the aspirant further along the path of awakening.
This three-week intensive will introduce us to the view and meditation of the Vajrayana, giving an overview of two particular Vajrayana practices – Mantra Meditation and Mahamudra Meditation – which help the student reveal their inner Buddha Nature.
We will meet for three Monday evenings and three Friday evenings on Zoom to learn about Vajrayana meditation and practice it together.
Periods of meditation will be interspersed with advice about how to use the principles of Buddha Nature in everyday life.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM: IF YOU DO NOT HAVE financial means, or have difficulty registering online, please to the organizer and we will register you at no cost.
Register here
