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 current 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.
Tracy Whalen-Payne
Treasurer
Tracy has been attending KTC for over 13 years and took refuge with Lama Kathy. Tracy routinely volunteers in various roles around the center, including being a former board member. She graduated from the Ohio State University and has worked in the non-profit field for over 17 years. Currently, Tracy lives with her husband, two children and dog.
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.
Andy Schumacher
Member-at-Large
In June of 2023, Andy was fortunate enough to visit Columbus KTC for the first time. Every visit since, he is always heartened by its welcoming and supportive community. Finding his spiritual home, Andy took refuge August 26, 2023 with Lopon Lama Tobden at Columbus KTC. Since becoming a member, he volunteers as a greeter and enjoys welcoming new and old faces alike to the center. He is honored and excited for the opportunity to serve the Columbus KTC community as member-at-large. Andy works in the field of public health and resides in Columbus with his elderly dog Catfish.
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