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Calm Abiding Meditation - Spanish language
Saturdays monthly 10.30-11.30am - January to June 2025
La meditación de calma mental, pacifica la mente al enfocarse en la respiración. Esta práctica sencilla pero poderosa ayuda a desarrollar un estado mental claro, relajado y estable. Es apropiada para quienes recién comienzan a meditar y para quienes desean practicar en grupo. Guiada por Ariadna.
Kids at Dechen LA
Sundays 9-10am monthly - February to June 2025
Looking for calm and connection? Bring your kids to the temple for a fun and peaceful introduction to Buddhist values like kindness, patience, and resilience. Each session includes:
Guided meditation
Storytime
Q&A and crafts
Parents can join the fun and ask questions too! Perfect for curious minds and open hearts. Don’t miss the chance to nurture mindfulness and joy as a family!
Visit of Lama Jampa - Vajrayana Teachings - May 2025
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.
Lama Jampa - Parting from the Four Attachments - May 30, 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.
Recovery at Dechen LA
In recovery and seeking deeper spiritual connections and meaningful paths forward?
Join us for a transformative morning 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.
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.
Buddhist Festival - Llabab Duchen - Buddha's Descent from the God Realms
Llabab Duchen commemorates the Buddha's return to this realm after teaching in the realm of the Thirty-Three Gods. Join us to celebrate with a traditional puja (group recitation and meditation). Open to everyone and any donations welcome.
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - November 2024
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.
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.
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”
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.
Buddhist Festival - Chokor Duchen - Buddha's Turning the Wheel of Dharma
Chokor Duchen celebrates the first teaching given by the Buddha in the deer park of Sarnath. Join us to celebrate with a traditional puja (group recitation and meditation). Open to everyone and any donations welcome.
Buddhist Festival - Saga Dawa Duchen - Buddha's Birth/Enlightenment/Paranirvana
Saga Dawa Duchen honors Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing and on this day the merit of virtuous acts is multiplied. Join us to celebrate with a traditional puja (group recitation and meditation). Open to everyone and any donations welcome.
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - May 2024
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
Buddhist Festival - Chotrul Duchen - Celebration of Buddha's Miracles
Chotrul Duchen marks the finale of the Monlam (the Great Prayer Festival), reflecting on Buddha's miracles and generating positive aspirations. Join us to celebrate with a traditional puja (group recitation and meditation). Open to everyone and any donations welcome.
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.
Visit of Lama Jampa: Initiation of Green Tara
The goddess Tara is revered in all traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the liberating activity of all buddhas
Visit of Lama Jampa: The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna (2 of 2)
Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practise the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom.
Visit of Lama Jampa: 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.
Visit of Lama Jampa: The Friendly Letter by Nagarjuna (1 of 2)
Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practise the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom
The Four Seals
In this one-day course, Roz will give a detailed presentation of each of the Four Seals.
A Day of Practice on Tangtong Gyalpo's Chenrezik practice
Two workshop sessions on the Tangtong Gyalpo Chenrezik practice.
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - Initiation of Manjushri
The vajrayana initiation of Manjushri Arapatsana, the embodiment of primordial wisdom.
Visit of Lama Jampa - Letter to a Friend (2 of 2)
The continued transmission of this famous teaching that explains the three trainings.
Visit of Lama Jampa - Explanation of Thangtong Gyalpo Chenrezig Sadhana
The textual transmission of Thangtong Gyalpo’s ‘Gom-lung’ for his Chenrezig sadhana.
Visit of Lama Jampa Thaye - Initiation of Gonkar
The vajrayana initiation of this important wealth deity and protector.
Visit of Lama Jampa - Letter to a Friend (1 of 2)
The continued transmission of this famous teaching that explains the three trainings.
Losar (Tibetan New Year) Celebration
Join us in celebrating Tibetan New Year at Sakya Buddhist Center!
Visit of Laura Rubio - The Six Perfections
Learn how to train in the Six Perfections that lead to complete enlightenment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.