Lama Tsultrim Yeshe Visit May 2nd-May 4th
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville is happy to welcome back Lama Tsultrim Yeshe May 2nd-May 4th. Lama Yeshe’s kind mid-west demeanor and gracious presentation of dharma teachings are sure to bring benefit to our daily lives and practice. Lama Yeshe will present a weekend workshop of Dharma teachings titled, “Encouragement in Uncertain Times.”
PUBLIC TALK: Cultivating Well-being in the Garden of Our Mind
May 2nd, Friday Night 7:00-8:30pm
In the garden of your mind, water the seeds of your qualities such as loving kindness, compassion and wisdom. A flower will never grow if treated in poorly; if we walk on it, give up on it, throw trash on it and fail to water it. A seed never sees the flower so you have to give up the security of remaining who you are.
TEACHING: Encouragement in Uncertain Times
Schedule:
Saturday, May 3rd
10:00am-Noon
2:00p-4:00pm
Sunday, May 4th
10:00am-Noon
2:00p-4:00pm
“In a crisis we often find new ways to solve problems. A crisis can be the source of many creative ideas and inventions.”- 17th Karmapa
This program will offer a fresh look at applying the teachings of the Kagyu lineage to living in the the mundane world. There are many methods of bringing our practice and meditation into our life off the cushion.
Refuge Ceremony May 3rd, Saturday 5:00-6:00pm
Lama Yeshe will bestow the Vow of Refuge to those wishing to start the Buddhist path. Those who would like to receive Refuge for the first time are asked to arrive at 6:30pm for brief instruction. PLEASE NOTE: Refuge will only be for in person attendance.
Location: KTC JAX 4168 Herschel Street
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
This event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation. We want as many people as possible to attend. Volunteer Scholarships are also available for those interested. Please let us know!
Participants can register in person at KTC Jacksonville or with the following links:
Weekend Workshop
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/encouragement-in-uncertain-times-a-weekend-workshop-w-lama-tsultrim-yeshe-tickets-1332627096519
About Lama Yeshe: Lama Tsultrim Yeshe (John Samuelson) has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1989. He completed the first three-year retreat at Karme Ling Under the direction of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche earning the title “Retreat Lama.” He took novice monk vows in 1994 from Tai Situ Rinpoche and fully ordained monastic vows in 2008 from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
Lama Yeshe is the resident Lama at the Hay River Karma Thegsum Choling located in Western Wisconsin. He travels throughout the country to other Buddhist centers to teach and lead retreats, as well as holistic learning centers like the Omega Institute
He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for 8 years as a prison Chaplain. He continues to do volunteer work in the prison teaching meditation, Buddhism and giving guidance. He has gained valuable experience working with inmates in a medium security prison. Many of them having difficult and abusive childhoods, anger management problems, and high levels of anxiety and stress.
Lama Yeshe has a BS degree in Sociology from the University of Oklahoma and did graduate work in Sociology at the University of Minnesota. He taught Sociology 4 years at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Rummage Sale Fundraiser for KTC Jacksonville
Date: April 5th-6th, 2025
Rummage Sale: 8:30am to 2:30 pm
Venue: 4168 Herschel Street (KTC Jacksonville)
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville will be having its Annual “Rummage Sale” on Saturday & Sunday, April 5th and 6th 8:30am to 2:30pm. We ask our Members and Friends in the community to make room in their homes and closets by donating items they no longer use or need and can part with. Donated items will be sold to benefit KTC Jacksonville.
Rummage sale donations include in-decent-condition household wares, furniture, kitchen wares, books, clothing, etc. Please bring donations to KTC before practice on Tuesday and Saturday. Try to bring the items in boxes as we have limited storage space. We will need volunteers to help price, setup, break down and assist with the sale on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. Please contact us if you are available to volunteer.
Any donations and volunteer “work” will help Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville continue its mission to offer others in North Florida the opportunity to learn meditation and study the Buddha’s teachings for the benefit of all sentient beings. Thank you for your generosity!
Losar Events Schedule 2/25-3/1
Losar the Tibetan Lunar New Year, is a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal. The Year of the Wood Snake is believed to bring transformation, wisdom, and adaptability.
KTC Jacksonville Losar Schedule
Tuesday 2/25
6:00pm Medicine Buddha Puja
7:00pm Shrine Cleaning
Friday 2/28
7:00pm Losar Chenrezik Practice followed by Tea and Cookies
To join remotely
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
Saturday 3/1
10am-12pm
Teaching: Cultivating a Calm Mind in a Turbulent World
We will Join Lama Losang’s teaching at the center via zoom.
You can also join remotely via Gainesville KTC :
12pm Sang Offering Puja (In person Only)
About Riwo Sangcho: The smoke offering, called the “sang offering” is a Tibetan Buddhist practice consisting of offering prayers and fragrant incense smoke outside to remove obstacles for the coming year.
Lama Lodro Lhamo Weekend Teaching January 24-26
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you January 24th through January 26th to receive precious in-person teachings from Lama Lodro Lhamo, the President of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, January 24th 7:00 PM:
Public Talk: Faith and Devotion in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, Faith and Devotion have a different meaning than in traditional theistic religions. Lama Lodro will speak on how to embrace these concepts and how they connect us with our own Buddha nature.
In person or Zoom
Friday Registration:
Saturday, January 25th: One-Day Guru Yoga of Mikyo Dorje Retreat(Four-Session Guru Yoga)
10am – 12pm- Morning session
2 pm – 4 pm- Afternoon session
Program Information: Lama Lodro will lead us in a one-day retreat of the Guru Yoga of Mikyo Dorje. Last year Lama Lodro taught this practice at KTC Jacksonville. It is traditionally recited four times a day in a retreat setting at Karma Kagyu monasteries. Attendees are encouraged to attend both morning and afternoon sessions as their schedule permits. The power of this sadhana holds great blessing and purifies negativity. The Karmapa said that hearing this sadhana once leads to liberation from rebirth in the lower realms. All are welcome to attend in person or Zoom. Practice text will be provided.
Mikyö Dorje was one of the most renowned of the Karmapas, a great meditation master as well as a prolific and learned scholar. Karmapa Mikyö Dorje composed the The Four-Session Guru Yoga during the 16th Century. This sadhana is a short yet powerful practice for developing the realization of devotion mahamudra. As it is one of the principal practices of the Karma Kagyu school, many monastic and lay practitioners recite this text daily.
In person or Zoom
Sunday, January 26th: Tibetan Music Instrument Instruction & Torma Making
10:00 AM- Traditional Tibetan Music Instrument Instruction for Sadhana Practices
Tibetan sadhana-related musical instruments involves understanding the spiritual and ritual context in which these instruments are used. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates music as a key element in sadhana practices and we will learn about the Medicine Buddha and Green Tara liturgies.
2:00 PM- Torma Making for Sadhana Practices
Tormas are offerings that are given to the buddhas. In the case of Green Tara, tormas are offered with the purpose of requesting her attention; for our petitions to be able to advance in our spiritual development, to receive her blessings, and to be of benefit to all sentient beings.
Sunday’s teaching is in-person only.
Weekend Registration:
About Lama Lodro Lhamo: The first woman to serve in the role of KTD President, Lama Lodro Lhamo has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1990. She completed three three-year retreats at Karme Ling Retreat Center and received her full bhikshuni ordination in 2008. Lama Lodro Lhamo is also the women’s retreat master at Karme Ling and has a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University. She is fluent in Chinese, English, and Tibetan.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS: This event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity, but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation. The event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
First Light and Holiday Schedule News
First Light: Lamp Offering to Welcome the New Year
Begin the first day of the solar New Year with us at KTC Jax with the offering of candles and lamps in honor of world peace. Our First Light ceremony will begin January 1st, 2025, at 10:30am.
Lamp offerings have special meaning: shining the light on our inner wisdom and reminding us of the clear path to living each day to create a life of peace. We invite you to light your lamps of peace — to join in our offering and prayers to help the light of wisdom reach all corners of the world.
Together we celebrate First Light with KTD Monastery, other KTC Centers, and Buddhist communities around the world. Let us together make aspirations, dedications, offerings, and prayers for World Peace and happiness to reach all corners of the world. We will chant the traditional Tibetan Buddhist prayers of the Chenrezik sadhana, followed by a lamp offering ceremony dedicated to those we may wish to remember who have passed away, those who are ill, and all beings who may suffer. Each participant will have the opportunity to light a candle for his or her own loved ones, make aspirations, or offer prayers.
First Light is also an auspicious occasion to renew our commitment to practice for the benefit of all sentient beings & to make offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as represented by our shrine. Making offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is considered highly meritorious and an effective way of removing obstacles. Participants are encouraged to bring individual offerings: particularly flowers, fruit, sweets, baked treats, or monetary offerings. This too is considered especially meritorious. We ask that those bringing offerings please try to arrive around 9:30 am in order for offerings to be placed and the shrine properly prepared by volunteer shrinekeepers. If you cannot attend in person and would like to make a donation to KTC for First Light please donate here. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SFWZX7C97WRM8&ssrt=1734885135759
Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Following the ceremony we will hold a vegetarian potluck luncheon to which all are welcome. Please feel free to bring a vegetarian dish of your choice. You do not have to be Buddhist to attend all are welcome.
If you would like to attend on zoom use the following link:
Zoom link to attend remotely:
https://zoom.us/j/287048452?pwd=WFc5WEJrNUlzSjlvNzFuZjkxNG1uZz09
Holiday Schedule Changes
Tuesday 12/24 Practice is cancelled
Saturday 12/28 Regular Meditation and Puja
Saturday 12/28 11:30am Karma Yoga volunteer and cleanup for First Light
Tuesday 12/31 Practice is cancelled
Wednesday 1/1 First Light Prayers for World Peace
January 25-27 Lama Lodro Lhamo Teaching and Practice weekend
Lama Karma Drodhul Public Talk and Teaching October 18-20th
Public Talk: Loving-Kindness & Compassion in a Divided World
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you Friday, October 18th to join us in person or on Zoom for an evening presentation titled, “Loving-Kindness & Compassion in a Divided World” taught by Lama Karma Drodhul. Lama Karma is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Lama Karma is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and former president of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery in Woodstock, NY. He also is the nephew of KTD’s first Abbot, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and assisted Khenpo Rinpoche at KTD. As a youth, Lama Karma excelled in all aspects of Dharma study at Thrangu Monastery and Thrangu Rinpoche sent him to the United States to deepen his understanding of the Dharma under the tutelage of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.
Lama Karma Drodul is a skilled writer in classical Tibetan. His published books include Amrita of Eloquence: A Biography of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Siddhas of Ga.
Learn more about Lama Karma at https://kagyu.org/teachers/resident_LamaKarmaDrodhul
Schedule:
Friday, October 18th
7:00pm-8:30pm
This eventbrite ticket is good for online zoom viewing or In Person attendance at KTC Jacksonville
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
You can also register in person day of the event.
Taking the Bodhisattva Vow: Teaching and Workshop
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you October 19-20th to join us in person or on zoom for a weekend teaching on “Taking the Bodhisattva Vow” with Lama Karma Drodhul. Lama Karma is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Lama Karma will teach on the history and benefits of the vow. The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony marks the beginning of a Dharma student’s training in both Aspiration Bodhicitta – the wish to free all beings from the suffering of the world – and the training in Action Bodhicitta, which we also know as the Six Paramitas, or Six Perfections: Generosity, Ethics, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom.
By taking the vow, students become “bodhisattvas in training” who aspire to tame their mental afflictions, generate compassion for themselves and others, and work toward enlightenment for themselves and others.
“Bodhisattvas in Training” also make a daily commitment to renew their vow and purify their mistakes along the way. By maintaining their vow daily, they create an atmosphere of self-honesty and self-care that can moderate the bad habits of being overly selfish – and overly self-critical.
PRE-REQUISITES: To attend the teaching or to take the Bodhisattva Vow, one must first have or intend to take the Buddhist Vow of Refuge, taking the Buddha as their teacher, the Dharma as their path and the Sangha as their Community. Refuge will be given Sunday morning before the Bodhisattva Vow.
Schedule:
Saturday, October 19th
10:00pm – Noon Teaching
2:00pm – 4:00pm Teaching
Sunday, October 20th
10:00pm – Noon Refuge and Boddhisatva Vow (In Person Only)
2:00pm – 4:00pm Teaching
This eventbrite ticket is good for online viewing or In Person attendance at KTC Jacksonville
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
You can also register in person day of the event.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
This event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity, but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation.The event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
Public Talk: Meditation – Making friends with your mind with Khenpo Tenkyong (In Person & Online)
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you October 2nd to join us in person or on Zoom for an evening presentation titled “Meditation: Making friends with your mind.” Khenpo Tenkyong is a resident teacher visiting from our parent monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.
Khenpo Tenkyong is a dynamic teacher committed to protecting nature and spreading dharma blessings to children and adults everywhere. As a bridge between ancient ways and modern needs, Khenpo Tenkyong meets students where they are in order to build strong foundations for strong practice. Skilled in meditation, yoga, and understanding precious nature Khenpo Tenkyong’s passion for life can be felt in all of his teachings.
Visit https://kagyu.org/teachers/resident_KhenpoKarmaTenkyong for his full biography.
Schedule:
Wednesday, October 2nd
7:00pm-8:30pm
Location: 4168 Herschel Street Jacksonville FL 32210
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
The event is by donation, please select whatever donation you would like to give.
In person or Zoom Registration:
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity, but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation.
Khenpo Tenkyong will also be visiting Gainesville KTC for a weekend Shinay retreat October 4-6th for more information visit https://www.ktcgainesville.org/courses/shinay-khenpo-tenkyong
Save the date:
Lama Karma Drodhul will be visiting KTC Jacksonville October 19 & 20th Teaching on and giving the Boddhisatva vow. Invite coming soon.
Tuesday Practice Cancelled 8/27
Guru Yoga of the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje Teaching with Lama Lodro Lhamo (In Person & Online)
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you August 10th & 11th to attend a precious opportunity on Zoom from Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery President, Lama Lodro Lhamo. Lama Lodro will teach the Guru Yoga of the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje. The power of this sadhana holds great blessing and purifies negativity. The Karmapa said that hearing this sadhana once leads to liberation from rebirth in the lower realms. All are welcome to attend this online teaching.
All may join on Zoom. If you attend in-person at KTC Jacksonville, we will receive the teachings from Lama Lodro on a large screen.
Mikyö Dorje was one of the most renowned of the Karmapas, a great meditation master as well as a prolific and learned scholar. Karmapa Mikyö Dorje composed the The Four-Session Guru Yoga during the 16th Century. This sadhana is a short yet powerful practice for developing the realization of devotion mahamudra. As it is one of the principal practices of the Karma Kagyu school, many monastic and lay practitioners recite this text daily.
Lama Lodro Lhamo Biography: The first woman to serve in the role of KTD President, Lama Lodro Lhamo has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1990. She completed three three-year retreats at Karme Ling Retreat Center and received her full bhikshuni ordination in 2008. Lama Lodro Lhamo is also the women’s retreat master at Karme Ling and has a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University. She is fluent in Chinese, English, and Tibetan.
Schedule:
Saturday, August 10th
10am – 12pm- Session 1
2 pm – 4 pm- Session 2
Sunday, August 11th
10am – 12pm- Session 3
2 pm – 4 pm- Session 4
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
The event is by donation; those who wish to give at the $108 sponsorship level will receive gifts of a special Dharma necklace and printed commentary and text of the Four-Session Guru Yoga. To give at this $108 level, choose “Sponsorship” in the Tickets section of this event.
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity, but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation.
Lama Losang Visit June 29th and Fundraising Raffle
Lama Losang Visit June 29th and Fundraising Raffle
Lama Losang Teaching: Life of the Buddha and The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville is happy to have Lama Losang for an in person visit. Lama Losang will teach on the Life and Teachings of the Buddha from his new book Wisdom, Compassion, and Awakening: Through Mindfulness and Insight Meditation.
Saturday June 29th 10am-Noon and 2-4pm
Location: KTC JAX 4168 Herschel Street
Interviews are available and Refuge will be given upon request following the teaching. Please email in**@****ax.org if interested in taking Refuge or to schedule an interview with Lama Losang.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS:
$50 suggested donation or $25 per session
Participants can register in person at KTC Jacksonville or with the following links:In Person Registration
PLEASE NOTE: KTC Jax brings authentic Buddhist teachers to the Jacksonville area year-round for programs and retreats. Suggested donations are requested to offset the costs associated with holding these special events. We always greatly appreciate your generosity but no one has ever been turned away because they couldn’t make a donation. We want as many people as possible to attend. Volunteer Scholarships are also available for those interested. Please let us know!
Zoom Registration
To learn more about our Spiritual Director Lama Losang please visit https://kagyu.org/teachers/visiting_LamaLosang
2024 Summer Raffle to Support KTC Jacksonville
Karma Thegsum Choling Jacksonville warmly invites you to participate in our 2024 Summer Raffle. All proceeds from the raffle fundraiser will be used to cover operational costs of our Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center at 4168 Herschel Street. Your generous donations help keep our doors open and continue our mission to be a beacon of the Buddha’s teachings in North Florida. 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. We have 3 special prizes available. Raffle participants can win only once. Every participant will receive a blessed pendant containing rice blessed by His Holiness the Karmapa.
Here’s how to enter:
Step 1: Click here to order tickets using our Google Raffle Ticket form.
Step 2: Use the “Donate” button on KTC’s PayPal Donation page here, and donate $15 for each ticket – or $50 for four tickets.
Please submit only the number of tickets to match your donation. Entries will be checked before the drawing takes place.
DEADLINE to enter the fundraising raffle is Saturday June 29th at 2:00 PM.
Drawing will be held after Lama Losang’s teaching in Jacksonville June 29th.
Enter now – and thank you for your generosity to KTC Jacksonville. May all beings benefit!
Tickets $15 each; four tickets for $50.
Raffle Prizes:
Blessed Medicine Buddha Mantra Syllable Pendant filled with rice blessed by His Holiness the Karmapa(every raffle participant will receive!)
Prize #1: Large Tigers-Eye Mala Blessed by the Founder of KTC Jacksonville, the Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche(1924-2019)
Prize #2: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Statue | 5 Inches Tall | Blessed and Filled with Blessing Substances by KTD Monastery Abbot Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin
Prize #3: Tibetan Bell & Dorje | 6 Inches Tall
