Do Ngak Kunphen Ling promotes Universal Peace through Tibetan Buddhist teachings in order to create enlightened world citizens who work to end the suffering of all beings.

DNKL offers classes, advice and training in Buddhist moral discipline, meditative concentration, and transformative wisdom.

Upcoming Special Events and Classes

Please see the calendar for times and most up-to-date information, or our programs page for a listing of ongoing classes.

Saturday, May 18, 2013
Annual Animal Blessing

Animals and animal lovers welcome!

Join friends, neighbors, and families to celebrate and bless our dear animal friends. Come early to enjoy activities for the whole family, including games, crafts, petting zoo, animal care information and more. Walk the expansive grounds or bring a blanket and just relax.

Guest speaker, Dr. Lucy Spelman, grew up in West Redding, and was Associate Veterinarian and director of the National Zoo in Washington DC. Her current focus of research is the interaction between animal, human and environmental health. More...

Download the poster to share with your friends!

Sunday May 19, 2013
Wheel of Sharp Weapons
Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche will teach from this text attributed to Lama Atisha's teacher Dharmarakita. It gives practical advice on the cultivation of renunciation and Bodhicitta and is considered as one of the most important texts of Mind Training.

Open to all. No registration is needed.

Friday to Sunday, May 24-26, 2013
Weekend Fasting Retreat Conjoined with Nyung-Ne Practice

This weekend retreat involves powerful practices of purification such as periods of fasting, prostrations, silence meditation, mantra recitation and so forth. A mandatory introduction will be given on May 15.

For details please visit the Registration Page.

Sundays, May 26, 2013
The Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland
Geshe Lobsang Dhargey will teach from this important text by the great Indian pandit Atisha, who brought Buddhist teachings to the Tibetan people. The teaching will be followed by discussion and a short meditation.

Open to all. No registration is needed.

Fridays, May 31 and June 7, 2013
Gradual Path to the Enlightenment
Geshe Lobsang Dhargey will kindly offer this four-session teaching on the Gradual Path to the Enlightenment during this auspicious month of Saka Dawa. The topics for each session will be:

1. Faith & Refuge
2. Aspiration & Liberation
3. Compassion & Enlightenment
4. Reality & Wisdom.

Open to all. No registration is needed.

Sunday, June 9, 2013
(every 2nd Sunday of the month)
Children's Program - Open to the Public!

DNKL has designed a class especially for families and children to come together to develop a harmonious life. We will teach traditional topics such as Loving Kindness, Patience and Compassion.

This program takes place monthly, with the aim of leading children to live happy lives with respect for others.

August 17-25, 2013
Nine-day Teaching on the Vajrayogini Generation Stage

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche has kindly accepted a request to give a nine-day teachings on the eleven yogas of the Vajrayogini Generation-stage pracitce as preserved in the lineage established by the Mahasiddha Naropa.

This teaching will be held at the Jewel Heart Center, 260 West Broadway, New York City. There will be two sessions each day, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Art Engle, Ph.D., will serve as the interpreter.

Prerequisite:
This teaching is ONLY open to individuals who have received a Vajrayogini Anuttarayoga Initiation in the lineage established by the Mahasiddha Naropa. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be made through the Registration Page.

For more details and a list of all activities at DNKL, see the Calendar and the listing of Special Events

If you would like to watch some of Rinpoche's past classes,
visit the Mind Training of Patience or The Wheel of Sharp Weapons on Ustream.

Please note that visitors will not be able to stay overnight at DNKL until after completion of the new temple addition and other required improvements. We sincerely regret the inconvenience this may cause you.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
with our Spiritual Director, Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa

Long Life Mantra
and Prayer for Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche

The most precious Dhakpa Tulku Rinpoche has suggested that we say the Tara Long Life mantra for our kind and holy teacher, Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche.

The mantra,
and long life prayer
in English and Tibetan.

Ongoing Classes and Discussions at DNKL
(please check calendar for exceptions)

Sundays

Stages of the Gradual Path to the Enlightenment
with Geshe Lobsang Dhargey

Online Buddhism Class (in Tibetan)
with Geshe Lobsang Dhargey
more information about the class and how to participate

Tibetan Language Class
with Venerable Gelek

Tuesdays, beginning on May 21
The Two Truths: Ultimate Reality & Coventionality
Geshe Lobsang Dhargey will discuss the very essence of Buddhist philosophy. What are the apperance and reality of our existence? How can they be realized? What will such realization bring to us? How can the non-existence of a concrete self and the everyday experience of happiness and suffering work harmoniously?
With Venerable Jampa Gyaltsen

Wednesdays
Meditation for Beginners
with Venerable Jampa Gyaltsen

Thursdays
Temple open for silent meditation

Please see the Calendar for an up-to-date schedule of all events and more detailed information.

We Want to Hear from You

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions
please contact DNKL's Center Manager, Jampa Gyaltsen
at (203) 664-1574 or info@dnkldharma.org

Online Buddhism Class
(in Tibetan)
with Geshe Dhargey

Online every Sunday
11:00 am - 12:30 pm

What's Happening at DNKL

DNKL in the News - articles written by local newspapers

Special Guests Teach at DNKL

Sindru Rinpoche taught on "The Foundation of All Good Qualities" written by Lama Tsongkhapa.

Wilson Hurley, from the Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center in Northern Virginia taught from his recently published translation of The Water and Wood Shastras, written by The Third Gungthang Rinpoche. The poems draw upon the author's experiences from intensive spiritual study, and expressed his thoughts through rich verbal images drawn from the natural world.

Venerable LosangTendrol (Dina Li) taught a half-Day workshop on the Buddhist perspective on overcoming fear. She offered an approach to counter survival instincts that may cause us to withdraw into our emotional bunkers and shut out those around us.

Dr. David Kittay from Columbia University led a discussion of the text One Hundred Spiritual Instructions to the Dingri People, written by Pha Dampa Sangye, an 11th century yogi and Mahasiddha. It's a wonderful pithy text of striking imagery, embodying the entire Buddhist path.

Prayers for the Victims of Sandy Hook

Upon hearing of the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama conveyed a message of sadness and compassion to share with our community.

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche, spiritual director of DNKL, included the victims of this tragic event in his daily morning prayer, asked his students to help in any way possible, and led weekly sessions of special prayers at Sera Mey Monastery in Karnataka, India, where he and Geshe Dhargey were visiting at the time.

Resident monk Jampa Gyaltsen and other members of our community also participated in the interfaith memorial services in Newtown.

Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration

Geshe Lobsang Dhargey and Venerable Jampa Gyaltsen participated in this celebration attended by spiritual leaders and groups of many faiths, presented by The Greater Bridgeport Tent of Abraham at the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport, CT

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at DNKL (more)

Do Ngak Kunphen Ling was overjoyed to greet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to our temple on October 18th, 2012. Numerous newspaper articles were written about the visit His Holiness made to DNKL in Redding and to WCSU in Danbury as the result of our joint invitation and joyful collaboration.

Videos of the talks His Holiness gave at WCSU can now be viewed on YouTube. Photos of the visit can be seen on our Facebook page, and posted elsewhere by WCSU, Gus Ford and TseGon Sharma.

Exploring Buddhism at the Mark Twain Library

Geshe Lobsang Dhargey provided an informative introduction to the ancient religion of Buddhism at the public library in Redding.

Photos from the event

Panel Discussion: What is empathy? Who feels it?

Geshe Lobsang Dhargey, resident teacher at Do Ngak Kunphen Ling, and Dr. Patricia O'Neill, Assistant Professor of Psychology, discussed the nature of empathy and altruism in humans and animals. The discussion focused on theories and research in psychology and other areas that provide evidence for the existence (or absence) of empathy. Dr. Daniel W. Barnett, Associate Professor of Psychology moderated the discussion, which took place at Warner Hall on the main campus of WCSU in Danbury.

Photos from this discussion (courtesy of Gus Ford Photography)

Paint Out and Wet Paint Exhibition

Artists from all areas joined together to celebrate His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s visit to Danbury. Live musical entertainment, refreshments, a wet paint exhibition and silent auction raised money to benefit DNKL, which is a self-supporting Buddhist Dharma center.

Participating artists included Kathy Anderson, Andrea Bisordi, Alfonsina Betancourt, Elizabeth Bullis-Wiese, Judith Corrigan, Catherine Elliot, Nancy Howell, Judith Lambertson, Phyllis Lodata-Suppa, JoHanne Mangi, Gus Moran, Mary Louise O'Connel, and S. Pamela Reese.

The artists and their art can be seen on our Facebook page.

Annual Animal Blessing

Over 100 people joined us this year with their animal friends: dogs, birds, horses and even a few fish! Veterinarian and author, Dr. Allen Schoen also spoke.

Check out the great pictures on our Facebook page.

Stanford Alumni Plant a Peace Garden at DNKL

Members of the Stanford Alumni and other friends built a peace garden for DNKL as we prepared for a visit from His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in October 2012. Check out the pictures on the DNKL Facebook page.

Books About Buddhism

Geshe Lobsang Dhargey, Jampa Gyaltsen, and Deirdre Coury presented an overview of the many books about Buddhism that are available at the Ruth A. Haas Library at WCSU in Danbury, CT. Information about the university’s collection was provided to raise awareness and encourage self-selection of books of interest relating to Buddhism.

DNKL and WCSU co-host the Conference on Creativity and Compassion

DNKL and Western Connecticut State University jointly hosted a conversation to explore the relationship between creativity and compassion. The discussion occured in preparation for a visit by His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama who spoke on the theme of Creativity and Compassion, Embracing the Challenges of the 21st Century at WCSU in October 2012.

Five panels of distinguished scholars, writers, faculty and students discussed the links between creativity and compassion during the two day conference which took place at the WCSU Midtown campus in Danbury, CT.

Read more...

Geshe Dhargey teaches online Buddhism class for Tibetans

Geshe Dhargey teaches a weekly online class on Buddhism to a group of mostly Tibetans who are located in the United States, India, and elsewhere. The class provides instruction in Tibetan, with some English to explain details for those students who are not fluent in the language.

The class is open to anyone who is interested. For more information visit Online Buddhism Class

Visit to United Church of Christ, Congregational in Redding

Geshe Dhargey answered questions during Second Hour Conversation which followed the Sunday morning worship service.

He was asked to answer questions, including:

• What are the basic affirmations of the Buddhist faith traditon?
• What differentiates Tibetan Buddhism from other Buddhist expressions?
• How do you define "universal peace"?
• Share with us your spiritual practices.
• What is the mission of your retreat center in Redding?
• How does it contribute to peace in our hearts and the world?
• Who, typically, are the folks who avail themselves of the retreat center?

Read Geshe Dhargey's answers online or download as a PDF.

West Conn students paid a visit to DNKL

Students from WCSU joined Geshe Dhargey at DNKL for a discussion of Buddhism and a guided meditation, followed by a tour of the center and grounds.

Bethel High students came to DNKL

Last spring Bob Owen brought some of his students to DNKL. Following a very short overview of Tibetan Buddhist practices, students were led by Geshe Dhargey in a brief guided meditation followed by questions and answers.

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche at other centers
When not at DNKL, our Spiritual Director can sometimes be found teaching elsewhere.

For more information about upcoming classes at Guhyasamaja Center in northern Virginia, and to hear recordings of some of his teachings there, visit: http://www.guhyasamaja.org or call 703-774-9692.

For information about upcoming classes at Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center (MSTC) near Washington D.C., visit: http://www.mstcdharma.org or call 703-503-5487.

Rinpoche sometimes teaches at Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, CA. For a schedule of their programs visit: http://www.gyutocenter.org or call (408) 926-9430.

Rinpoche and Geshe Dhargey occassionally return to teach at their monastery, Sera Mey Monastic University in Bylakuppe, Mysore District, Karnataka State, India: http://serameymonastery.org, or call +91-8223-258207