Mindrolling Branch Centres
Lotus Garden Retreat Center
Photo Credit: View of the main residence at Lotus Garden ©2009 Mindrolling International
Lotus Garden Retreat Center (Pema Gatsal) is the North American seat of Mindrolling International and was founded by Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche in 2003. Rinpoche's vision of Lotus Garden is as a place of study and practice of the Buddha Dharma with the aspiration in particular to assist in the flourishing of the Mindrolling lineage teachings.
Located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lotus Garden is a beautiful 200-acre centre, providing an inspiring environment for study and practice. Currently, sangha members from around the globe come to Lotus Garden to receive teachings from Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche as well as other eminent rinpoches and to undertake retreats.
STUDY GROUPS
- Mindrolling International has established study groups in the US, Canada and Europe. Please check our list for a group in your area.
Lotus Garden offers a variety of programs through out the year including the Annual Retreat lead by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, the Shedra program and other programs that host respected and great teachers of Tibetan Buddhism as well as smaller weekend programs lead by the Lotus Garden lopöns and drupön. In addition, Lotus Garden offers facilities for retreats including solitary, sessions and group retreats. The Dechen Gatsal Project is a particular retreat setting that will soon provide opportunities for senior members of the sangha to participate in “life-time” retreats in individual cabins.
There are also many expansion projects currently underway at Lotus Garden including planning for a new Lhakhang, Chöying Gatsal that will comfortably seat more than 300 people and represents a tremendous step forward in making Lotus Garden a centre capable of fulfilling Rinpoche’s vast vision. We have also created a public garden, Sonam Gatsal, that features a special gift from Mindrolling Monastery in India — an exquisite 15-foot tall statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. It was the wish of His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen that this Buddha be brought to Lotus Garden to celebrate the establishment of the Mindrolling lineage in the west. Expansion projects recently completed or scheduled for the summer of 2010 include renovation of Rigzin Gatsal as a guest house for visiting teachers, air-conditioning of Lhawang Gatsal, the community shrine hall, and renovation of dorm spaces and spaces for gathering.
Contact Information
Lotus Garden
1991 Pine Grove Rd.
Stanley, Virginia 22851
USA
Tel: 1-540-778-2405
E-mail: admin@lotusgardens.org
Web: lotusgardens.org