About Us
Our organization and teachers
Our History
Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling was founded in September, 1977 by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche as an affiliate center of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa’s dharma seat in North America.
Since the beginning, Columbus KTC has been guided spiritually by His Holiness Karmapa through Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and the lamas of KTD, and organizationally by the KTD’s president and its national board of trustees.
Administrative Board, and Practice and Study Team
Locally, the Columbus KTC’s Administrative Board handles the day-to-day operation of the center, while the Practice and Study Team, headed by Resident Teacher Lama Kathy Wesley, takes care of religious practice and education matters. Board members serve as volunteers for terms ranging from one to two years.
Here’s an introduction to the 2023-2024 KTC Administrative Board, and our Practice and Study Team. We hope to see you at the Columbus KTC!
Lama Kathy Wesley
Resident Teacher
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.’ Now, 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. Kathy is a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She lives in Newark, Ohio with her husband, Mike Wesley.
Chuck Drake
Director
Chuck Drake took refuge with Khenpo Karthar in 1981. He attended Vajradhatu Seminary in 1988 with the Vajra Regent. Chuck is currently a meditation instructor; he served KTC in the past as treasurer and assistant director. Chuck is married to Mylynda Drake and he has two sons and two step sons.
Steve Thaxton
Assistant Director
I have been a student of Buddhism since 1997 and took refuge with Lama Kathy in 2021. I also work as an engineer for Owens Corning. I live in Granville with my wife, Stacie, and our three sons. My other great passion outside of KTC, work and family is Rotary International. I can see how important it is for us to maintain a thriving center for all those connecting through dharma and am grateful for the opportunity to help fulfill that need.
Beth Dwinnell
Treasurer
Bethany Dwinnell has been a psychotherapist in private practice for over 20 years. She first became interested in Buddhism when she became aware of the parallels between cognitive behavioral therapy and Buddhist philosophy. As a member of KTC, she and her family have attended since 2006. In her spare time, she enjoys rowing, violin and reading. While she has volunteered in varying capacities through the years, she looks forward to serving as treasurer for the board.
Michael De Bonis
Secretary
Since becoming a member of KTC, Michael has enjoyed getting involved as a volunteer and serving on the Strategic Planning Committee. He is grateful for the opportunity to further serve the community as a member of the board. He lives in Clintonville with his wife and son.
Amanda Nordhof
Member-at-Large
Trying to figure out how to alleviate suffering for myself and others has always drawn my interest and Buddhism has provided wonderful insight and practice in addressing this. Buddhism entered my life around 2006 with the discovery of Green Tara. I attended KTC for the first time around 2010, taking a few intro classes, joining in occasional shamata practice and attending my first Medicine Buddha Puja. I came back to KTC with the first Medicine Buddha Puja in the new space and was inspired to learn and participate more fully as a volunteer and member. I officially took Refuge with Lama Tobden on August 26th, 2023. Outside of KTC, I have been practicing as a licensed Massage therapist since 2012. I have two sons and three grandchildren. I enjoy being in nature, the arts, music, dance and the practice of yoga. I am grateful for this community and to serve as Member at Large!
Our Teachers
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Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
For over three decades Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche has patiently guided students unaccustomed to Himalayan traditions. As the abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Rinpoche is responsible for insuring that preparations are in keeping with age-old Tibetan traditions when visiting Rinpoches and lamas teach at KTD. Distinguished visitors include His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, all the regents of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and numerous eminent Tibetan teachers. more…
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Lama Kathy Wesley
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Kathy Wesley (Lama Gyurme Chötsö) has studied Tibetan Buddhism since 1977. She has been active in the Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling since its inception in 1977, and has served the center in a variety of roles, including meditation instructor, newsletter editor and secretary. From 1986 until 1991, she was the center’s administrative director. Lama Kathy now serves the Columbus KTC as its resident teacher.
From June 1993 until May 1996, Kathy participated in a three-year retreat led by the Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at the Karmé Ling Retreat Center in Delhi, N.Y. You can learn more about her at www.lamakathy.net