GET STARTED WITH KTC
Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, our Sunday morning program offers multiple ways to engage with the dharma. Our community includes both beginners and those with decades of practice, creating a rich environment for learning and growth.
FIRST-TIME VISITORS
Join us at 9:15 AM for:
- Brief orientation to our space
- Introduction to meditation basics
- Help with meditation posture
- Guided meditation suitable for beginners
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our center occupies a unique space – a 1920s speakeasy transformed into a traditional Tibetan Buddhist shrine room. When you visit, you’ll enter into a welcoming community space where you can:
- Remove your shoes
- Hang your coat
- Enjoy tea or coffee while settling in
- Use either chairs or meditation cushions
OUR PRACTICE
At the heart of our practice are traditional Tibetan Buddhist sadhanas—unique meditative practices that blend chanting, visualization, and prayer. These powerful rituals, often performed in Tibetan, guide us into a deeper connection with compassion, wisdom, and the nature of mind. While deeply rooted in tradition, they offer a transformative and dynamic approach to meditation that is rarely found outside of Tibetan Buddhism. If you’re new to this, don’t worry – most of us don’t speak Tibetan either. A chant leader (Umdze) guides us through the melodies, and all our texts include both pronunciation guides and English translations. You’re welcome to participate however you feel comfortable, whether that’s chanting along in Tibetan, following the English translation, or simply sitting quietly and taking in the experience.
Between practices, we take short breaks for tea, coffee, and conversation in our community room. This gives everyone a chance to stretch, reflect, and connect with fellow practitioners.
GET COMFORTABLE
There’s no pressure to “keep up” or participate in any particular way. Whether you’re joining the chanting, following along silently, or simply observing, you’re welcome to engage at whatever level feels right for you.
Our shrine room is equipped with both chairs and meditation cushions – use whichever is most comfortable for you. We provide all necessary practice materials and texts.
DHARMA ETIQUETTE
Our traditions of respect help create a focused environment for practice. Here are some gentle guidelines that support our practice together:
With Respect for the Buddha and the teacher guiding us on the path…
- Please rise when the lama enters the shrine room to teach, and when the lama rises from his or her seat after teaching
- Please do not sit or lounge with your feet pointed toward the Buddha images, paintings, or shrine
- You may observe Buddhist practitioners doing three prostrations to the shrine when they enter. This is meant as a measure of respect as well as means to cultivate humility. If this is something you are not comfortable with, please do not feel obligated to do so
With Respect for the Dharma, the teachings bearing the truth of the path…
- Please do not place texts and prayers on the floor, but rather on a cushion or hold them in your hand
- Also, please do not crumple or mark them with a pen, nor take them with you for personal use or study without first speaking with the Resident Teacher (lama)
With Respect for the Sangha, the fellowship of both realized beings and ordinary students…
- Please be mindful of others. When entering the Shrine Room during a teaching or meditation session, enter quietly and take the nearest available seat
- Do not hold private conversations in the Shrine Room, particularly before and after teachings and meditation sessions
- When the Shrine Room is in use please be mindfully quiet in the rooms near it
Appropriate Attire
Wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate for sitting on the floor. Please refrain from wearing anything that might be considered distracting or offensive. In short, use your best judgement. We also have chairs for sitting if the floor cushions are impractical for you, so please feel free to use them.