Welcome to Dharmapala Buddhist Center!
Located in Roanoke, Virginia, Dharmapala Buddhist Center offers meditation classes, workshops, retreats, study programs, and spiritual community in the tradition of Kadampa Buddhism brought to the West from Tibet by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
As a member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union, Dharmapala is one of over 1200 Kadampa centers and groups around the world. The Center was founded in 2003 at the request of local students and today it continues to provide a place of peace and tranquility in Roanoke.
We provide meditation classes that are very relaxing and the talks are easy to understand and apply to our daily lives. Our classes are perfect for both beginners and those with experience.
Featured Classes:
General Program Drop-In Class:
Concentration and
The Art of Meditation
with Kadam Deann Bishop
Sunday Mornings from 10-11:30am
Thursday Evenings, from 7-8:00pm
Many of us long for an improved ability to focus and to have a stronger memory. In our busy, stressful lives we often wonder how and when we will finally be able to improve our stable, peaceful, effective habits. Buddhist meditation methods teach us about the nature and potential of our mind to have the power to concentrate on the things we want to prioritize and emphasize - for our practical daily tasks and especially for our spiritual life.
This series will offer guided meditation practice and instruction that help us understand how to harness and channel our mental power of focus and concentration. Everyone, regardless of previous experience or religious affiliation is welcome!
Featured Events:
Weekend West Virginia
Mountain Retreat
June 7-9, 2013 at the Lost River Retreat Center, Lost City, WV
Get away from the daily grind and retreat into the mountains of West Virginia for a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend meditation retreat. This weekend will include guided meditations and talks on developing inner balance and inner peace, which will help us deeply relax and recharge our spiritual batteries.
The retreat will be held at the Lost River Retreat Center in Lost City, West Virginia, which is adjacent to the George Washington National Forest. The retreat center is located on 43 acres of land, with hiking trails, streams, a pond, and an overlook tower. It is a secluded and peaceful setting perfect for meditation and spiritual renewal.
Everyone is welcome! This retreat is a joint activity of the Kadampa Centers in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Roanoke, VA and Harrisburg, PA. We welcome all people who wish to learn more about and enjoy meditation and Buddhist teachings.
Registration opens on April 10, 2013!
2013 International Summer Festival
July 26 - August 10, 2013 at Manjushri Center, UK
In Modern Buddhism, Geshe Kelsang says, ‘Practicing Sutra teachings is the basic foundation for practicing Tantric teachings, and the practice of Tantra is the quick method to fulfil the ultimate goal of Sutra teachings.’
The 2013 Summer Festival will provide an opportunity to receive and practice teachings on both Sutra and Tantra. Click here for more information.
2013 International Fall Festival
October 25 - 31, 2013 in Cascais, Portugal with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
At this auspicious event, beginning on Je Tsongkhapa Day 2013, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Founder of NKT-IKBU, will give an oral explanation and transmission of his latest book The New Heart of Wisdom, which reveals Buddha’s heart teaching on the perfection of wisdom (prajnaparamita), and grant the Tantric empowerment of Buddha Prajnaparamita. The event will also celebrate the opening of the new Kadampa Temple in Portugal. Click here for more information.
Announcements:
Special Teaching Training Program – New!
The Special Teacher Training Program provides an opportunity to receive special training in how to become a qualified Teacher of Kadampa Buddhism. Students training on the program will follow a new, clear and practical presentation specially designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The first course began at Manjushri KMC in April 2012 with the General Spiritual Director Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong as the Teacher. It will be offered yearly and be taught either by the General Spiritual Director or the Deputy Spiritual Director. Click here to learn more.
Prayer eBooklets
Prayers are special methods for generating positive states of mind, and can be used as a preparation for successful meditation on any of the stages of the path to enlightenment. Following the requests of many people, prayers are now available from Tharpa in eBooklet (epub) format. These Prayer eBooklets are ideal for modern-day practitioners who wish to familiarize themselves with their meditation practices on the go. Click here to learn more.
Eight Steps to Happiness eBook
This eBook, Eight Steps to Happiness – The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness is a commentary to one of Buddhism’s best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind, composed by the great Tibetan Buddhist Master, Geshe Langri Tangpa. These eight short verses contain in essence the entire Buddhist spiritual path, with a particular focus on developing loving-kindness. Click here to learn more.
Modern Buddhism – Free eBook!
This eBook Modern Buddhism – The Path of Compassion and Wisdom, in three volumes, is being distributed free of charge. The author, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, says: “Through reading and practicing the instructions given in this book, people can solve their daily problems and maintain a happy mind all the time.” So that these benefits may pervade the whole world the author wishes to offer this eBook freely to everyone. Download it here.
As a non-profit organization, Dharmapala Buddhist Center depends entirely upon the membership and donations of our local Sangha. Please support your Center and create the causes for greater peace and happiness in the community.
"If we give money to a Dharma Center there will be great meaning, the merit will increase for as long as the Center exists. As the Center grows and flourishes, bringing happiness to more and more people, the power of our offering will increase." -Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
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