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Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 pm ET (Zoom)
Special Chenrezig Puja Dedicated to the Memory of Tim Wagner
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Thursday, October 22
Launch of Fall Fund Drive
At the heart of Columbus KTC lies a shared intention: to awaken, transform our minds, and bring wisdom and compassion to our world. This fall, that aspiration is moving forward in inspiring ways—from our newly relaunched Meditation Mentorship program and Lojong study group to our Karma Kagyu Three-Year Dharma Study Course and growing KTC Kids program.
To keep these teachings thriving and our doors open as a sanctuary for all, we are launching our 2026 Fall Fund Drive this Thursday, October 22, running through Sunday, November 1.
Please see the full article below.
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Sunday, October 25, 11:30am
Next KTC Kids
Kids ages 5 to 10 are welcome to join us from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays for Buddhist stories, meditation, and crafts. If your child is attending for the first time, please come a little early to complete the enrollment form. Registration is no longer required.
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Wednesday, October 28, 6pm
Queer Sangha Group
This queer-focused, queer-led group is for LGBTQI+ practitioners and those seeking fellowship with queer sangha. We will gather for practice, conversation, and community rooted in dharma, belonging, and queer lived experience.
Meeting is in person and online. See full article in Community News for more info.
Image Credit: "Queens Pride Parade 2022 New York City Pride Flags" by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Tuesday, November 10, 7pm
Sangha Women's Gathering
Come as you are! … and join CKTC women to explore the dharma and ways to apply it to our lives.
Bring a dharma curiosity question or come to listen. Share joys and struggles. Offer wisdom and support.
No homework - no book to read. Just bring your beautiful Buddha nature to CKTC at 7pm Second Tuesdays.
Enter by the west parking lot door and proceed to Classroom 1 on the Lower Level.
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Saturday, November 14, 9:30am
Saturday Shamatha Retreat
Extended periods of shamatha meditation help us deepen our practice by giving us a chance to work with thoughts, distractions, and resistance that may not come up in shorter meditation sessions.
Lama Tom Broadwater will present brief talks prior to the morning and afternoon portions of this event. During the retreat, Lama Tom will also be available for interviews with participants who would like to discuss their practice.
Chuck Drake will act as umdze.
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Columbus KTC Loses Dharma Brother
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our dear Dharma brother and friend, Tim Wagner.
Tim, who has been involved with KTC for more than a decade, passed away overnight Sunday due to complications from a stroke. He just turned 80 this year.
There will be a special one-hour Chenrezig/ Amitabha prayer service dedicated to Tim this Tuesday evening, Oct. 20, at 7 PM Eastern Time. Prayer texts will be included onscreen, and all are invited. A Zoom link to this service is down below.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Tim has been an active member of our sangha for many years, participating in our annual booth at Comfest and organizing Sangha Lunch gatherings, as well as helping the center with maintenance and groundskeeping.
In fact, the week before his stroke, Tim was picking up trash and trimming our lawn to keep KTC looking beautiful.
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He also will be remembered for his deep and heartfelt questions during dharma talks, and his deep faith in dharma.Even after his stroke last week, Tim was asking a KTC friend for advice about Tonglen compassion meditation practice, and saying he felt the presence of Medicine Buddha in the room.
According to Tibetan Buddhist custom, prayers are requested for Tim for 49 days after his passing, which is considered the maximum time a person can spend in the between death and rebirth. The compassion mantra of Chenrezig, and the mantras of Buddha Amitabha and Medicine Buddha, are particularly powerful and beneficial.
There will be more time for remembrances in the coming days, but for now, you can dedicate merit to Tim and his family, and wish for him to have an auspicious rebirth.
Here are the mantras we will be using in the special prayer service on Tuesday evening:
Chenrezig: OM MANI PEME HUNG
Amitabha: OM AMI DEWA HRI
Medicine Buddha: TAYATA OM BEKANZE, BEKANZE MAHA BEKANZE RADZA SAMUNGATE SO HA
During the prayer service, we will share the text on screen. If they wish, those attending can also just sit and meditate.
Here is the Zoom information for the special Chenrezig/Amitabha prayer service dedicated to Tim to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, Oct. 20, at 7 PM Eastern.
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82483355182?pwd=WLObCepUSjISmFPQPmdHxZ5CAA6m5Y.1
Meeting ID: 824 8335 5182 (tel:8335 5182)
Passcode: 326511
Join Instructions:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/82483355182/invitations?signature=2LFzK9jLtPrKZhFF-WYrYY0z3I46EGj9mZymgBRSK-4
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Coming Soon: Fall Fund Drive 2026
Aspiration in Action
At the heart of Columbus KTC lies a shared intention: to awaken, transform our minds, and bring wisdom and compassion to our world. This fall, that aspiration is moving forward in inspiring ways—from our newly relaunched Meditation Mentorship program and Lojong study group to our Karma Kagyu Three-Year Dharma Study Course and growing KTC Kids program.
To keep these teachings thriving and our doors open as a sanctuary for all, we are launching our 2026 Fall Fund Drive this Thursday, October 22, running through Sunday, November 1.
Our goal is to welcome 10 new regular monthly donors and 10 current donors who upgrade their monthly gift.
What’s Coming Up:
- Raffle: Every new or upgraded monthly donor will be entered into a raffle for wonderful prizes (drawing on Nov 1 at 12:15 PM; need not be present to win).
- Member Appreciation Lunch: Join us in person on Sunday, November 1, immediately following the Dharma Talk for a special celebration lunch!
Keep an eye out for our launch email on Thursday with full details on how you can help turn the wheel of aspiration.
Learn More About Monthly Giving Here
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Saturday Shamatha Retreat
Saturday, November 14
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
In-person only at KTC
We can re-energize our Dharma practice by spending time together remembering the blessings of quiet sitting meditation.
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Mindfulness Meditation is our foundation as practicing Buddhists. By practicing basic quiet sitting meditation (called Shamatha in Sanskrit), we develop more awareness of our thoughts and motivations. As a result, an innate gentleness toward ourselves and others emerges.
Extended periods of shamatha meditation help us deepen our practice by giving us a chance to work with thoughts, distractions, and resistance that may not come up in shorter meditation sessions.
Lama Tom Broadwater will present brief talks prior to the morning and afternoon portions of this event. During the retreat, Lama Tom will also be available for interviews with participants who would like to discuss their practice.
Chuck Drake will act as umdze.
The program will be offered in-person only at KTC. Those attending should bring a vegetarian sack lunch. Water, coffee, and tea will be provided.
To promote a mindful atmosphere, Functional Talking (i.e., only for essential, quick communication) will be strongly encouraged.
If you'd like to attend only part of this retreat, you are welcome to do so. When you arrive, quietly join the retreatants in the shrine room.
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ABOUT LAMA TOM
Lama Tom Broadwater became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in1999. He completed a 3 year retreat in 2012. He currently serves as an Associate Lama at Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling Buddhist Meditation Center in Columbus, OH. Coal miner 4 years. Social worker and social administrator for 35 years. Married 45 years. Father of two daughters and 3 grandchildren.
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ABOUT CHUCK DRAKE
Chuck Drake is a meditation instructor for Columbus KTC though he now spends most of his time serving as KTC’s administrative Director. Chuck took refuge with Khenpo Karthar in 1981 and, in 1988, he attended a summer-long Buddhist seminary at Rocky Mountain Dharma Center in Colorado. Chuck started attending Columbus KTC regularly in 2012. He has also served as Treasurer and Assistant Director. Chuck is married to Mylynda Drake. Except for his KTC duties, he is now retired.
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Karma Kagyu Three-Year Dharma Study Course
MONTHLY ONLINE COURSE!
More than 2,500 years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha uncovered the true nature of mind, and taught others how to live fully and authentically from a place of inner wisdom and peace
This in-depth Three-Year Study Course will walk us through the entire Dharma path shown by the masters of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, using clear explanations by renowned teacher and translator Ken Holmes. .
Through 30 monthly chapter-length readings, the course will cover topics such as Karma, Rebirth, Buddha Nature, Vajrayana, and so much more.
You’ll also learn about the role of quiet sitting meditation, compassion meditation, and mantra meditation, and take a tour through the Karma Kagyu Lineage practice known as Mahamudra - the method our lineage masters have used for generations to bring about enlightenment in a single lifetime.
Led by Lama Kathy Wesley and other KTC teachers, we will meet monthly on the First Monday of each month to review one chapter each month of the “Nangi Shedra Home Study Course” written and pioneered by Ken Holmes, who translated a popular version of Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation and gives Western-flavored insights into Tibetan Buddhist concepts.
Along the way we hope to form a community of practitioners who can uplift and encourage each other in their study and practice.
Each month participants will receive that month’s chapter to study. Class sessions will lightly cover basic themes and encourage participants to delve deeper into their own understanding.
Classes will be monthly on FIRST Mondays through August, 2027.
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ADDITIONAL MONTHLY GET-TOGETHER!
On THIRD Mondays, our team will host a one-hour “Practice and Check-in” to see how everyone is doing in their study and practice and offer community support.
Classes will be monthly through August, 2027.
EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES NOV. 2!
Registration opens Friday Oct. 2 and continues until the first day of class, Monday Nov. 2.
DONATIONS REQUESTED. Suggested donations are $60 for KTC Members: $75 for Non-Members, and $108 for Sponsors.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds; write to pa@columbusktc.org to request a no-cost ticket.
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Lojong Practice and Study Group
Second Sundays from 12:45 to 1:30 PM
In Person (Classroom 1) and on Zoom
Lama Kathy Wesley, Lama Tom Broadwater, and other KTC trained volunteers
Sitting Meditation opens our minds in a way most of us have never experienced before. When we meditate, we become keenly aware of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and see how they influence our moment-to-moment experience of our lives.
But sometimes we feel overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings, leaving us with the impression that our thoughts and feelings are “out of control” and beyond our ability to engage and work with them.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find a technique to help us work with our thoughts and see them in perspective?
More than 2600 years ago, the Buddha Shakyamuni said that love and compassion were “the way” - the way to work with emotions, feelings and even thoughts themselves.
This new monthly Sunday session will focus on Lojong - a Tibetan word meaning “Mind Training,” - that teaches us how to meditate on love and compassion and begin changing our minds from within - from the heart.
We will meet monthly on Second Sundays after the regular Sunday Dharma Talk to learn about compassion meditation and practice it together.
Special Lojong prayers and meditation periods will be interspersed with advice about how to use the principles of love and compassion in everyday life.
You can join the class at any time; we hope to develop a small community of practitioners dedicated to living out the principles of Lojong in their daily lives and supporting each other in their practice.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85013173643?pwd=rpkVDSvbry0HLAFvGDS4UfeepQFL1v.1
Meeting ID: 850 1317 3643
Passcode: 900598
Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85013173643/invitations?signature=SbQEOBbyQoletMBtS0-F4kQ7qmvtSiBilZCMNyXycM8
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Lama Kathy “on the air” with podcast appearances
From time to time, we’ll let you know about current activities by KTC’s Practice and Study Team members.
Our lamas and meditation instructors are often seen on the web-waves promoting KTC and meditation.
Below are two recent appearances by Lama Kathy. Please click on the image to go to the podcast episode on YouTube.
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First Community Church
Pastor’s Podcast
Lama Kathy recently spoke to Rev. Seth Sterns of Columbus’ First Community Church regarding Buddhist responses to social justice issues.
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Sixth Sense Society Podcast
For the last few years, Lama Kathy has been part of lively discussions with the tarot-card reading experts Krista and Michael on their weekly Sixth Sense Society podcast. Here, Lama Kathy talks about Tibetan Buddhist “super hero” and poet-saint Milarepa.
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Dear Sangha friends,
Here are this week's prayer requests:
From Steve T.
Please pray for our dear friend Tim W. who entered the Bardo this past Sunday. Thank you.
From Helder de A.
Please pray for my Mom and Dad, Simone and Helder. Please pray for their well being, health, and recovery from all issues that have been happening lately.
Also, please pray for me and my brother Daniel for general prayers and support for our lives. Thank you.
To submit prayer requests, you can write to prayers@columbusktc.org. Every week, our Prayer Request Volunteer will compile the names of those needing prayer and put them in our weekly newsletter.
To protect the privacy of individuals, we recommend not including private details, and even if a full name is provided in the request, we will only using a person's first name and last initial in the newsletter prayer request.
To be on the safe side, we also recommend getting the approval of the person for whom prayers are being requested. We will send a confirmation email to let you know we received your request.
Thank you for your interest in our prayer list. May all beings benefit.
Image credit: Butter Lamps by J McDowell (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Al-Anon Meeting at KTC
Wednesdays, 7pm
An Al-Anon meeting is held weekly at Columbus KTC on Wednesdays, 7pm-8pm. Al-Anon meetings are open to anyone who has a friend or relative with a drinking problem.
To attend, enter KTC through the parking lot doors, and come to Classroom #1 downstairs. We’ll start promptly at 7pm but if you’re running late, look for a sign on the door and text someone inside.
These meetings will be In-Person only. Please join us! Call Kim R. at 614.746.6361 with questions.
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Queer Sangha Group
Fourth Wednesday of Every Month, 6pm
This queer-focused, queer-led group is for LGBTQI+ practitioners and those seeking fellowship with queer sangha. We will gather for practice, conversation, and community rooted in dharma, belonging, and queer lived experience.
This is a space for the questions, humor, complexity, history, resilience, and joy that queer people may bring to the path. A space for honest conversation and shared practice, where queer experience does not have to be translated, minimized, or left outside the shrine room door.
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We hope this group will help KTC’s queer sangha become more visible, connected, and accessible, including for people who are newer, returning, questioning, far away, or looking for a way to connect with our community.
The Queer Sangha group will meet at 6:00 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the KTC Community Room. Come in person if possible, or, if you would like to attend by Zoom, please email queersangha@columbusktc.org in advance and we will send you the Zoom information. Please also email if you have any questions or want to learn more about the group.
Image Credit: "Queens Pride Parade 2022 New York City Pride Flags" by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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AA Meeting: "One Breath at a Time"
Thursdays, 6:30 pm; Community Room
This AA meeting is held in person only in the KTC Community Room. The format includes meditation followed by group discussion of one of the 12 Steps.
Each week, enter KTC through the parking lot doors, and come to the Community Room. We’ll start promptly at 6:30pm but if you’re running late, look for a sign on the door and text someone inside . Due to the nature of the gathering, we are In-Person only. Send questions to info@columbusktc.org
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Sangha Women's Gathering
Second Tuesday of Every Month at 7pm
Come as you are! … and join CKTC women to explore the dharma and ways to apply it to our lives.
Bring a dharma curiosity question or come to listen. Share joys and struggles. Offer wisdom and support.
No homework - no book to read. Just bring your beautiful Buddha nature to CKTC at 7pm Second Tuesdays.
Enter by the west parking lot door and proceed to Classroom 1 on the Lower Level.
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Recovery Dharma Meetings
on Mondays & Tuesdays
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Recovery Dharma is now convening weekly meetings at Columbus KTC on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The meetings take place on the lower level of our building at 645 West Rich Street in Columbus, Ohio.
The Monday meeting is from 7pm until 8pm in Classroom #1. The Tuesday meeting is from 6pm until 7pm in Classroom #2.
Recovery Dharma is a peer-led recovery group that relies on Buddhist practices and principles to free ourselves from the suffering of addiction.
The program is designed to help persons struggling with drug and alcohol addictions as well those who struggle with compulsive behavior around life processes such as food and sex.
The program emphasizes renunciation and abstinence, meditation, connecting with others, self-inquiry, and growth.
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KTC Kids
***Starting in September, KTC Kids will be held every Sunday from 11:30 - 12:30. ***
Kids ages 5 to 10 are welcome to join us from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays for Buddhist stories, meditation, and crafts. If your child is attending for the first time, please come a little early to complete the enrollment form. Registration is no longer required.
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An Easy Way to Donate!
Thank you to members who've enrolled their Kroger rewards card to benefit Columbus KTC. We are receiving over $150 annually through Kroger's Community Rewards Program. If you haven't already, please consider choosing us to receive your community rewards points. It's Easy!
1. Go to "Kroger.com"
2. Enter or set up your online account
3. Go to "My Account" and then hit "Community Rewards"
4. Search "Columbus KTC" and hit "Enroll"
5. Feel proud that you're doing more to support our mission to spread the dharma and provide free meditation classes!
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Name Tag Clean-Up!
To keep our name tag wall organized and easy for everyone to use, we’re doing a name tag audit and clean-up!
What to expect on your next visit:
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Arriving: Name tags will temporarily be placed in labeled boxes on the main table, sorted alphabetically by first name. Please allow a few extra minutes to grab yours when you arrive.
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Leaving: When you leave, please place your name tag on its designated wall board. We’ve split the wall into four alphabetical sections (A–D, E–J, K–R, and S–Z) to make finding and storing them much faster.
Thank you for helping us keep things tidy and running smoothly!
| | | Ways to Help with Columbus KTC Fundraising | | | | Our Online Fundraiser Shop |
Please visit www.supportktc.org to shop for t-shirts, hats, and more - you'll be supporting Columbus KTC with your purchases!
| | | | Hospitality Team Seeking Tea Time Hosts | |
The hospitality team is seeking Hosts and Providers for the Sunday morning Tea Break. Providers do not need to be bakers. Providers can bring in any snack they choose!
Hosts and Providers work together as a team to set up snacks, coffee and hot water for tea, and to welcome those who come to the community room. We clean up together afterwards.
Working as a team allows both Host and Provider to finish quickly so they can attend the Dharma Talk.
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Serving others is a great way to meet new friends! It's good for our sangha and good for your karma!
For additional information or to sign up, please contact board@columbusktc.org.
| | | | Zoom Hosts Needed for Dharma Programs | Are you handy with Zoom or willing to learn? Columbus KTC needs regular Zoom host volunteers to help with online Dharma programs, including weekly classes, pujas, and special events. The time commitment is roughly 1-2 hours per week. Training is provided. Please contact John, the Zoom host team lead: johnchacona@gmail.com . | | | | Volunteer at the Columbus KTC Store |
Interested in volunteering for the store? Volunteer times are Sundays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. If you can help, please fill out this online form.
| | | | Welcome Team Seeking Volunteers | Our volunteer greeters are the first faces new visitors see and those same greeters welcome all those who return Sunday after Sunday. Another aspect of our team is to provide an umdze for the weekly silent meditation. Your time commitment is 1 to 2 hours per month. If you can help, please contact Kelly or Miranda at welcome@columbusktc.org or sign up at KTC on the volunteer sheets outside the office. | | |
Weekly Programs at Columbus KTC
October 20-25, 2026
| | Notice: You may be on camera! We are pleased to offer most of our regular Sunday programs on Zoom and our livestream platforms. You might see signs in the Classroom and Shrine Room reminding you that by entering the room, you agree to be seen on camera for the folks watching from home. If you have any concerns, let us know: info@columbusktc.org | | Weekly & Monthly Puja Schedule | |
In addition to classes, silent, meditation, and other programs, KTC offers several regular pujas each month and throughout the year for holidays and events. Pujas (chanting meditations) are part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Our weekly puja schedule is:
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. ET: Chenrezig Puja on Zoom
Sundays at 8:00 a.m. ET: Tara Practice in the Main Shrine Room and on Zoom
Sundays at 10:00 a.m. ET: Pujas in the Children's Room and on Zoom, as follows:
- First and Fifth Sundays: Chenrezig/Amitabha Puja
- Second Sundays: Medicine Buddha Puja
- Third Sunday Ngöndro Class meets at 10 AM in the Children’s Room; Open Ngondro Practice at 9 AM in the KTC Main Shrine Room
- Fourth Sundays: Manjushri and Heart Sutra Chants
Second Sundays at 12:45 p.m. ET: Lojong Study & Practice in the downstairs classroom and on Zoom.
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Chenrezig Puja (Deity Chanting Meditation)
Tuesday, 7:00 pm ET; on Zoom
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Midday Meditation with Eric Weinberg
Wednesday, 12:15 pm ET; on Zoom
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Green Tara Puja (Deity Chanting Meditation)
Sunday, 8:00 am ET; Main Shrine Room & Zoom
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Manjushri and Heart Sutra Chants
Sunday, 10:00 am ET; Children's Room & Zoom
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Introduction to Meditation
Sunday, 10:00 am ET — Kevin Dwinnell
Downstairs Classroom & Zoom
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Group Meditation Practice
Sunday, 10:00 am ET; Main Shrine Room & Zoom
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Introduction to Buddhism
Sunday, 11:30 am ET; Downstairs Classroom & Zoom
Class #8: Mantra Meditation — Kevin Dwinnell
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Main image: Tibetan Prayer Flags by Pathos Photos is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Sunday Dharma Talk Image: KFE_OConnor--0411 by Karmapa Foundation Europe CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.jpg
Smaller images: please see the credits and licensing information near the end of the newsletter.
| | Stories You May Have Missed | | | |
KTD Monastery Newsletter and National KTC Newsletter
We now have a National KTC Newsletter that will share activities by KTD’s khenpos and lamas around the country. You can read about programs being given in-person or online by your favorite teachers and help support KTC activities around the country. Just head over to this link and sign up.
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A Lama Kathy Blog Post —
Golden Gleam in an Azure Sky: Completing Rinpoche’s Vision
On Wednesday Dec. 17, after years of anticipation and months of careful planning, the Sertok (golden spire) purchased for Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and his helpers in 2019 was hoisted high above the building by a crane and lowered into place on top of the new KTC building.
... Click here to read full post from Lama Kathy about this special occasion.
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For other images, please see the credits (if any) in each article
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Virtual Shrine Room image credits and licensing:
Tuesday Chenrezig puja: 410px Chenrezig manor place 4armed by Secret London CC BY-SA 2.0 | Midday Meditation: Nackros by llauren CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 | Green Tara puja: Green Tara by Cleveland Museum of Art PD-US | White Tara puja: White Tara by National Museum in Warsaw PD-US | Ngöndro: Chakpori Hill Prostration by ccdoh1 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Sunday Chenrezig Puja: Statue of Chenrezig, Pelling by Rangan Datta Wiki CC BY-SA 4.0 | Fourth Sunday puja placeholder: 2008 Karmapa May 21 153 by Ocean of Merit CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 | Group Meditation: Meditation by kstepanoff CC BY 2.0 | Intro to Meditation: Meditation by HckySo CC BY-NC 2.0 | Intro to Buddhism: 4248792673_3d87e11906_o by Ocean of Merit CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 | Dharma Talk: 4302460199_6434fe71c6_o by Ocean of Merit CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Dharma Library: *Image: Buddhist texts by ngawangchodron (CC BY-NC 2.0). New Flag: Firefighter Mark Foster after raising the Dream Flag atop the new Columbus KTC building
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