Kathok Centre Events
The Compassionate Heart of the Awakened Mind
Bodhichitta, precious and sublime:
May it arise in those in whom it has not arisen,
May it never decline where it has arisen,
But go on increasing further and further.
The Lightening Bolt of Compassion, "a Short Sampa Lhundrupma, Prayer that Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes" by Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
Emaho! oh wonder! O Guru Rinpoche, in your glory you embody Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; lama, yidam and khandro; and all the sugatas, The sole refuge of beings, who are without protection in this dark age. Your compassion is as swift as lightening, Totreng Tsal. Maha-Guru, Wrathful Padma Heruka, with fervent longing and devotion, we pray to you: Avert enemies, dons, obstructing forces, gyalpo, senmo and jungpo demons, under your subjugation. Grant your blessings so that all our wishes be spontaneously fulfilled!
When the signs of the times became apparent, at the request of the noble consort and son, Jalu Dorje uttered this, as a treasure from his wisdom mind.
Small Note: We appreciate the generosity of those who wish to make offerings or bring items to the Centre, however, if there is something that you may wish to offer please email ahead of time and describe what it is so that the Lamas may make a decision about whether it is something useful at the Centre. Please do not bring items to the gate. Thank you for your understanding!
Rejoicing in the Installation of the Sixteen Stupas!
"May all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas behold me with grace, I rejoice in the fulfillment of the Two Accumulations of merit and wisdom. All the virtues gathered in the three times, I offer them all to the Three Jewels. May the Buddhadharma flourish, I dedicate this virtue to all sentient beings.May sentient beings attain Buddhahood. And may all such virtue gather together, And ripen in my mindstream, To purify the two obscurations and perfect the accumulations. May long life, health as well as practice and realization increase, May I attain the Tenth Bhumi in this lifetime. At the very moment when we leave this life, May we be reborn in Sukhavati. Once we are born there, may the lotus bloom, And may we attain Buddhahood with that form. Upon attaining Buddhahood and until Samsara or cyclic existence ends, May we manifest in various emanations to guide and benefit all sentient beings. Samaya Gya Gya Gya" This prayer is from the Terma of Tulku Migyur Dorje
June 2025
White Tara practice
White Tara practice in the main temple, focusing on visualization and mantra recitation.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Saga Dawa Duchen
This day marks the enlightenment of the Buddha at Bodhgaya and the anniversary of the Buddha's parinirvana in a forest grove in Kusinagara.
On this day the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times.
Guru Yoga practice in the Golden Shrine
Guru Yoga practice and mantra recitation in the Golden Shrine.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Dakini day - Tara practice in the main temple.
Practice and meditation on Green Tara and White Tara in the main temple during this powerful Dakini Day.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Anniversary of Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche
Anniversary of Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912)
This is a powerful day in our tradition. Home practice and virtuous action is highly recommended.
Through the blessings of the youthful Manjusri, the union of awareness and emptiness, you released the eight brilliant treasures. Master of an ocean of treasure-like teachings of the Dharma in both transmission and realization. To you Mipham Rinpoche, Manjusri in person, I pray.
The 37 Practices of all Bodhisattvas
Reading and reflecting on the 37 Practices of all Bodhisattvas in the main temple.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
July 2025
Guru Rinpoche Day - Guru Yoga Feast Offering
Padmasambhava Guru Yoga feast offering Tsok in the Golden Shrine.
To represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and truly engage with this practice, It is highly recommended to bring some kind of food as a pure offering for the Tsok.
Tsok is primarily a practice of offering and a powerful method for purifying our samaya. It refers to the food and drink that will be offered by the practitioners during the practice. It is said that the edible substances represent skillful means and the liquids represent wisdom. It is important that the offering includes many different substances.
The teachings explain that we should be generous in our offerings, and not offer just a little amount with a miserly attitude. We should try to avoid polluting the offerings with limited dualistic concepts, by thinking something is too good or too expensive to offer, or even that something is too dirty or impure, or only offering things we like ourselves and leaving out all the things we don’t like. It is important that we consider the substances as offerings, and not as ordinary food and drink.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
On the tenth day of the fifth month, the sheep month, when the tirthikas of southern India are causing great harm to the teaching of Buddha, through a vast display of magical power, Guru Rinpoche smashes them to dust along with their gods and guardians, and raises the victory banner of the teaching of the Buddhas. Then he is known as Guru Senge Dradok.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Ngondro practice in the main temple
Prayer of the Preliminary Practice; The Excellent Path of Omniscience, from the Dzogpa Chenp Longchen Nyingthig. Ngondro practice in the main temple.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Open meditation in the Golden Shrine
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Dakini Day - Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Dakini Day is a powerful event in our tradition. Home practice and virtuous action is highly recommended.
Phowa practice in the main temple
Buddha Amitabha Phowa practice in the main temple.
It is highly recommended to bring an offering for the altar to represent your dedication, accumulate merit, and and make a connection with the mandala. Whatever you think would be a pure offering such as flowers, saffron, or fresh fruit are common examples.
Suitable for all levels. Everyone is welcomed to attend. There is no set price for this event, but your generous offering is greatly appreciated.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open for public pilgrimage and self-guided tours
Self-guided public open time includes: an orientation from a volunteer, window viewing of the Golden Shrine, circumambulation of Shrine and Stupas, walk/sit in main garden, view the butterlamp building, add your personal aspiration to the wishing garden, see the Tara garden, visit the gift shop, an opportunity to make offerings, and to see detailed explanations of the 8 stupas - the highest representation of Buddha's enlightenment.
Chökhor Düchen
The first turning of the Wheel of Dharma: For seven weeks after his enlightenment, Buddha did not teach. Finally, encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time, at Sarnath, teaching the Four Noble Truths. Home practice and virtuous action is highly recommended on this powerful day.
You I shall praise, who first awakened the mind of enlightenment, then completed the accumulations of merit and wisdom, and now in this age, through the vast sway of your actions, have become the lord and protector of living beings. tadyathā oṃ mune mune mahāmunaye svāhā
Teaching from Karzang Rinpoche
Please click on the title below to find a beautiful teaching from Karzang Rinpoche on the power of spiritual example:
Reflections on Vairocana's Doha
Temple Etiquette
To help us all enjoy of the sacredness of Kathok Centre the main temple is only to be accessed during scheduled practices.
Please leave pets at home.
Please observe all signs, rules and guide lines while on the Temple property as there are Teachers in residence and students in retreat. You may take photos outside, but please, no photos inside Temples.
Thank you, everyone, for honoring our sacred space.
Notes for Newcomers
In order to observe proper conduct please remove shoes and hats before entering the Temples.
Please wear respectful clothing.
It is considered bad luck to greet the Deity empty handed, so for the most beneficial and opportune visit you can offer fresh flowers or a 'kata' (white silk scarf available in the temple & gift shop) as you make positive aspirations for yourself and/or others.
Rinpoche advises that every practice has its own preliminary practice, therefore it is very important to arrive at least ten or fifteen minutes prior to start time. This gives time to circumambulate, settle one's mind, and get one's motivation ready. The main gate will be closed ten minutes before the start of practice.
Open Meditation sessions are one hr. Most other practices do not necessarily have a determinate end time.
Please keep recitation texts on a table (not on the floor).
Please keep talking to a minimum.
Please do not point your feet at the Buddhas or other sacred objects in the Temples.
If you are not comfortable sitting on cushions please sit on the benches available or bring your own folding chair.
Please put your cell phone in airplane mode and no photos inside Temples.
Please do not bring dogs to the Centre.
The purpose of Kathok Centre is to help us all become healthier in mind, heart and body. To best facilitate this please keep your mind and body free of intoxicants including alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. If you are intoxicated or behaving disrespectfully you will be asked to leave.
Scheduled practices or public open times could be subject to change on short notice in the case of severe weather or other unanticipated issues.
Please enjoy your quiet, sacred times at the Temple!