Upcoming events

Dharma Events

Book an Event

Recovery at Dechen LA
Feb
22

Recovery at Dechen LA

In recovery and seeking deeper spiritual connections and meaningful paths forward?

Join us for a transformative afternoon at Dechen LA designed specifically for the recovery community.

This event offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your recovery journey by exploring practical and profound Buddhist practices.

View Event →
Tibetan New Year Celebration!
Feb
28

Tibetan New Year Celebration!

Join us at Sakya Buddhist Temple for an informal and joyful celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year! 
We’ll begin with a short welcome and wishes for auspiciousness, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed gathering with Tibetan momos (dumplings), refreshments, entertainment, and friendly conversation. 

View Event →
Stories of Enlightenment: The Life of Milarepa
Mar
14

Stories of Enlightenment: The Life of Milarepa

Join us for a captivating evening of storytelling, poetry, and inspiration as we journey through the remarkable life of Tibet’s legendary yogi, Milarepa. Known for his unwavering determination and profound spiritual realization, Milarepa’s life is filled with timeless lessons of transformation, perseverance, and wisdom.

View Event →
Visit of Lama Jampa - Vajrayana Teachings - May 2025
May
21
to May 30

Visit of Lama Jampa - Vajrayana Teachings - May 2025

  • Sakya Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We are very excited to welcome Lama Jampa Thaye back to Los Angeles for two weeks of vajrayana teachings.

  • Wed May 21: 6.30pm - Initiation of Chenrezig Mahamudra.

  • Sat & Sun May 24-25: 10.30am to 4.30pm - Vajrapani weekend retreat. Initiation, explanation, and practice of Vajrapani Bhutadamara.

  • Wed May 28: 6.30pm - Initiation of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig.

View Event →
Lama Jampa - Parting from the Four Attachments - May 31, 2025
May
31

Lama Jampa - Parting from the Four Attachments - May 31, 2025

Parting from the Four Attachments (Tib. Zhenpa Zhidral) is a remarkable teaching that explains the entire Buddhist path in a very concise form. This makes it ideal for those new to Buddhism who would like to gain an overall understanding but also invaluable to experienced Buddhist practitioners as it clarifies the elements of the path and how they work together.

View Event →

New Year Resolutions
Jan
4

New Year Resolutions

Saturdays 1-4pm monthly - January to June 2025

Begin the year with intention and inspiration at our workshop, designed to help you bring meditation into your daily life and infuse your outlook with kindness.

Resolutions often fade, but we’ll explore how to use the transformative Five Powers to keep your commitments alive and thriving throughout the year.

The day includes engaging sessions, practical guidance, and plenty of opportunities for discussion and Q&A. We’ll lay on refreshments.

View Event →
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - November 2024
Nov
6
to Nov 16

Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - November 2024

  • Dechen LA, Sakya Buddhist Temple (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We are excited to share Lama Jampa’s program of teachings:

  • Wed Nov 6: 6.30pm - Mind Training in a Single Session.

  • Sat Nov 9: 10.30am - The Friendly Letter. 2.30pm - Initiation of Red Saraswati.

  • Wed Nov 13: 6.30pm - Initiation of Green Tara.

  • Sat Nov 16: 10.30am - The Friendly Letter. 2.30pm - Initiation of White Tara.

View Event →
Buddhists on Bikes - Bike MS Bay to Bay ride
Oct
19
to Oct 20

Buddhists on Bikes - Bike MS Bay to Bay ride

Join or sponsor our team for the Bike MS Bay to Bay from Irvine to San Diego, CA and help end MS.

Buddhists on Bikes is more than just a cycling club - it's a community of like-minded individuals who share a love for biking and a commitment to making the world a better place. 

https://events.nationalmssociety.org/team/71005

View Event →
Summer Retreat in France
Aug
18
to Aug 31

Summer Retreat in France

Our sister retreat center in France, Sakya Changlochen Ling, will be hosting the Dechen annual Summer Course in August.

Week 1: Sunday 18th August to Friday 23rd August“Dispelling the Darkness of Suffering”

Week 2: Sunday 25th August to Friday 30th August“The Sweet Drops of the Blooming Lotus of Great Bliss”

View Event →
Visit of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen - August 6, 2024
Aug
6

Visit of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen - August 6, 2024

We are delighted to welcome His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche (The Sakya Trichen) back to Santa Monica.

His Holiness will bestow the vajrayana initiation (Tib. jenang) of Vajrapani Bhutadamara. Vajrapani is one of the Lords of the Three Families and is revered in all traditions of vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the power of all buddhas.

View Event →
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - May 2024
May
18
to Jun 1

Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - May 2024

  • Sakya Buddhist Center, Los Angeles (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We are excited to share Lama Jampa’s program of teachings:

Saturday May 18: 10.30am The Friendly Letter. 2.30pm - Initiation of Black Manjushri

Saturday May 25: 10.30am - Accessing Wisdom, The Life and Teachings of Sakya Pandita. 2.30pm - Initiation of Sakya Pandita

Thursday May 30: 6.30pm - Initiation of Green Tara Shakya Shri Bhadra

Saturday June 1: 10.30am - The Friendly Letter. 2.30pm - Initiation of Yellow Dzambhala

View Event →
Losar - Tibetan New Year
Feb
11

Losar - Tibetan New Year

Losar is the Tibetan New Year - the year of the Wood Dragon! Join us to celebrate with aspiration prayers, coffee and donuts. Open to everyone and any donations welcome.

View Event →
Initiation of Green Tara
Oct
29

Initiation of Green Tara

Lama Jampa will bestow the initiation of Green Tara from the lineage of Atisha. Meditation on Green Tara who is one of the most widely practiced deity-yogas in Tibetan Buddhism.

You must receive Refuge to attend this teaching. Email info@dechen.us for further details.

View Event →
The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna (day 2)
Oct
29

The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna (day 2)

Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practice the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom.

This talk is open to everyone and provides insight into how Buddhist teachings are transmitted and practiced.

View Event →
Public Talk - The Life of Guru Rinpoche
Oct
27

Public Talk - The Life of Guru Rinpoche

Lama Jampa will present an account of the life of Guru Rinpoche, filled with miracles, the subjugation of demons, and the display of the power of Vajrayana Buddhism.

This talk is open to everyone and provides a fascinating window into the world of Tibetan Buddhism.

View Event →
Initiation of Chenrezig Mahamudra
Oct
22

Initiation of Chenrezig Mahamudra

This initiation bestows the authority to meditate on Chenrezik, the embodiment of compassionate energy, and on mahamudra - the great seal - which is the true nature of mind.

You must receive Refuge to attend this teaching. Email info@dechen.us for further details.

View Event →
The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna
Oct
22

The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna

Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practice the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom.

This talk is open to everyone and provides insight into how Buddhist teachings are transmitted and practiced.

View Event →