Daily Morning Services (6:00 am - 8:00 am)
You are welcome to join us for all or part of our morning services, called "tsokpa", to sit in meditation. Chanting is in Tibetan, so for those interested in participating in the chanting, transliterated copies of the text are available for use in the shrine room. Morning Tsokpa includes Tara and Medicine Buddha.

(Free of charge)

Daily Evening Service (5:00 pm - 6:30 pm)
You are welcome to join us for all or part of our evening services, called "tsokpa", to sit in meditation. Chanting is in Tibetan, so for those interested in participating in the chanting, transliterated copies of the text are available for use in the shrine room. Evening Tsokpa includes the Mahakala Protector practices.

(Free of charge)

Introduction To Buddhist Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with meditation instructions

(Free of charge)

Study Group On The Path To Buddhahood By Ringu Tulku (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
The Path to Buddahood by Ringu Tulku is a concise and friendly guide to the most comprehensive handbook of Buddhist practice in our lineage, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation written by the twelfth-century teacher Gampopa.  The text, available at the KTC bookstore, will be taught by graduates of the Three-year retreat.  Anyone is welcome to join at any time without attending previous sessions and there is no charge for participating.  This group meets in the KTC library in the main monastery building.  If you have any questions, please email Lama Chodron at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chanting For Liberating The Deceased And Benefitting Beings (in Commemoration Of Qing Ming) (12:30 - noon - 2:00 pm)

Chanting for Liberating the Deceased and Benefitting Beings (in Commemoration of Qing Ming)

April 4, 2012 (Wednesday)

Kagyu Thubten Chöling will be making prayers and offerings for our parents, ancestors, and the deceased, by performing both the short Amitabha and Shitro practices.  Included will be the offering of 500 butterlamps and aspiration prayers for the well being of our families and all other beings, especially those to whom we dedicate the practice by name, both living and deceased.  For all beings, this practice will help to create favorable conditions and enhance their well-being.

Lama Norlha Rinpoche has said that, "no matter how long ago your deceased dear ones or relatives have passed away, it is still very vital to make prayers and offerings for them to increase their merit."

You may donate any amount and provide us with the names for dedication (both living and deceased).  To make these dedications, download the attached Dedication Form in English or Chinese.

12:30 pm | Offering of 500 Butterlamps
1:00 pm | Chanting of Short Amitabha and Shitro Sadhanas

There is no charge for attending the chanting but reservations are required one week in advance if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Sitting Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)

Our weekly open practice hour consists of sitting meditation guided by a resident lama.  It is an opportunity for individuals to work with meditation methods they have learned during KTC's Monday night class or on their own.  There is no formal teaching or questions and answers.

(Free of charge)

Tong Chö (6:30 am - 8:00 am)

A traditional Tong Chö of 1,000 butter lamps, 1,000 bowls of saffron water and 300 bowls filled with rice, incense and flowers is offered weekly, accompanied by chanting of the Chenrezig practice.

(Free of charge)

Monlam Choga, Followed By Short Shitro Practice (10:00 am - 12:00 - noon)
Chanting of the Monlam Choga (Prayers of Auspiciousness), a practice of offering and aspiration prayers compiled by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. This is followed by the short liturgy of Shitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities), a profound practice from the cycle of teachings and meditations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. We dedicate this practice to the deceased in order to purify negativities, avert obstacles in the bardo, and establish a connection with the deities that will ripen in future lives.

(Free of charge)

Introduction To Buddhist Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with meditation instructions

(Free of charge)

Study Group On The Path To Buddhahood By Ringu Tulku (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
The Path to Buddahood by Ringu Tulku is a concise and friendly guide to the most comprehensive handbook of Buddhist practice in our lineage, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation written by the twelfth-century teacher Gampopa.  The text, available at the KTC bookstore, will be taught by graduates of the Three-year retreat.  Anyone is welcome to join at any time without attending previous sessions and there is no charge for participating.  This group meets in the KTC library in the main monastery building.  If you have any questions, please email Lama Chodron at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sitting Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)

Our weekly open practice hour consists of sitting meditation guided by a resident lama.  It is an opportunity for individuals to work with meditation methods they have learned during KTC's Monday night class or on their own.  There is no formal teaching or questions and answers.

(Free of charge)

Tong Chö (6:30 am - 8:00 am)

A traditional Tong Chö of 1,000 butter lamps, 1,000 bowls of saffron water and 300 bowls filled with rice, incense and flowers is offered weekly, accompanied by chanting of the Chenrezig practice.

(Free of charge)

Monlam Choga, Followed By Short Shitro Practice (10:00 am - 12:00 - noon)
Chanting of the Monlam Choga (Prayers of Auspiciousness), a practice of offering and aspiration prayers compiled by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. This is followed by the short liturgy of Shitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities), a profound practice from the cycle of teachings and meditations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. We dedicate this practice to the deceased in order to purify negativities, avert obstacles in the bardo, and establish a connection with the deities that will ripen in future lives.

(Free of charge)

Teaching On The Short Prayer To Vajradhara (2:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Lama Norlha Rinpoche will teach on The Short Prayer to Vajradhara.  This profound prayer to the Kagyu lineage masters was composed in a clear state of meditation by Bengar Jampal Zangpo, and contains pith instructions for the Vajrayana path from beginning to end.

2:30 pm | Teaching on The Short Prayer to Vajradhara

Pricing: $25 Non-members | $20 Members
Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

Reservations (1 week in advance) are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Guru Rinpoche Long Life Empowerment (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Lama Norlha Rinpoche will be bestowing the Guru Rinpoche Long Life Empowerment.  Of the hundreds of long life empowerment termas (hidden Dharma treasures) discovered over the past 1300 years, The Long Life Empowerment (Tsewang) of Konchok Chidu, is said to confer Guru Rinpoche's most profound blessings for long life and freedom from obstacles.

Both Chinese and English translation will be provided.  Refuge is not required for those participating in the empowerment.

2:00 pm | Guru Rinpoche Long Life Empowerment

Pricing: $25 Non-members | $20 Members
Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

Reservations (1 week in advance) are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Introduction To Buddhist Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with meditation instructions

(Free of charge)

Study Group On The Path To Buddhahood By Ringu Tulku (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
The Path to Buddahood by Ringu Tulku is a concise and friendly guide to the most comprehensive handbook of Buddhist practice in our lineage, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation written by the twelfth-century teacher Gampopa.  The text, available at the KTC bookstore, will be taught by graduates of the Three-year retreat.  Anyone is welcome to join at any time without attending previous sessions and there is no charge for participating.  This group meets in the KTC library in the main monastery building.  If you have any questions, please email Lama Chodron at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sitting Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)

Our weekly open practice hour consists of sitting meditation guided by a resident lama.  It is an opportunity for individuals to work with meditation methods they have learned during KTC's Monday night class or on their own.  There is no formal teaching or questions and answers.

(Free of charge)

Tong Chö (6:30 am - 8:00 am)

A traditional Tong Chö of 1,000 butter lamps, 1,000 bowls of saffron water and 300 bowls filled with rice, incense and flowers is offered weekly, accompanied by chanting of the Chenrezig practice.

(Free of charge)

Monlam Choga, Followed By Short Shitro Practice (10:00 am - 12:00 - noon)
Chanting of the Monlam Choga (Prayers of Auspiciousness), a practice of offering and aspiration prayers compiled by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. This is followed by the short liturgy of Shitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities), a profound practice from the cycle of teachings and meditations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. We dedicate this practice to the deceased in order to purify negativities, avert obstacles in the bardo, and establish a connection with the deities that will ripen in future lives.

(Free of charge)

Teaching On Short Powa Practice (2:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Lama Norlha Rinpoche will be teaching on the Short Powa practice, teaching on the visualization for the transference of consciousness at the time of death.

2:30 pm | Teaching on Short Powa Practice

Pricing: $25 Non-members | $20 Members
Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

Reservations (1 week in advance) are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Lha Shi (Four Deities) Empowerment (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Lama Norlha Rinpoche will be bestowing the Lha Shi (Four Deities) Empowerment.  The 'Combined Practice of the Four Deities' is a guru yoga from the Shangpa tradition that groups Mahakala, Vajrayogini, Chenrezig and Tara into one practice.

Both Chinese and English translation will be provided.  Refuge is required for those participating in the empowerment and will be offered at the beginning of the empowerment.

2:00 pm | Lha Shi (Four Deities) Empowerment

Pricing: $25 Non-members | $20 Members
Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

Reservations (1 week in advance) are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Introduction To Buddhist Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with meditation instructions

(Free of charge)

Study Group On The Path To Buddhahood By Ringu Tulku (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
The Path to Buddahood by Ringu Tulku is a concise and friendly guide to the most comprehensive handbook of Buddhist practice in our lineage, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation written by the twelfth-century teacher Gampopa.  The text, available at the KTC bookstore, will be taught by graduates of the Three-year retreat.  Anyone is welcome to join at any time without attending previous sessions and there is no charge for participating.  This group meets in the KTC library in the main monastery building.  If you have any questions, please email Lama Chodron at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sitting Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)

Our weekly open practice hour consists of sitting meditation guided by a resident lama.  It is an opportunity for individuals to work with meditation methods they have learned during KTC's Monday night class or on their own.  There is no formal teaching or questions and answers.

(Free of charge)

Tong Chö (6:30 am - 8:00 am)

A traditional Tong Chö of 1,000 butter lamps, 1,000 bowls of saffron water and 300 bowls filled with rice, incense and flowers is offered weekly, accompanied by chanting of the Chenrezig practice.

(Free of charge)

Monlam Choga, Followed By Short Shitro Practice (10:00 am - 12:00 - noon)
Chanting of the Monlam Choga (Prayers of Auspiciousness), a practice of offering and aspiration prayers compiled by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. This is followed by the short liturgy of Shitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities), a profound practice from the cycle of teachings and meditations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. We dedicate this practice to the deceased in order to purify negativities, avert obstacles in the bardo, and establish a connection with the deities that will ripen in future lives.

(Free of charge)

Dorje Sempa Empowerment (2:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Lama Norlha Rinpoche will bestow the Dorje Sempa Empowerment. Dorje Sempa is the deity for purifying negative actions and obscurations, and is the second of the Four Preliminary Practices (Ngöndro).

Both Chinese and English translation will be provided.  Refuge is required for those participating in the empowerment and will be offered at the beginning of the empowerment.

2:30 pm | Dorje Sempa Empowerment

Pricing: $25 Non-members | $20 Members
Fees do not include charges for meals or accommodations.  Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow for registration.

Reservations (1 week in advance) are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations.  Please see General Information about Events at KTC for details. Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are joining us for meals only.

Introduction To Buddhist Meditation (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm)
Teachings on foundational Buddhist thought along with meditation instructions

(Free of charge)