Chicago Karma Thegsum Choling

Welcome to Chicago KTC!        

UPCOMING Events at KTC:

April 28 - 29

Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin

Introduction to Buddha Nature

Please see our Teaching Schedule for more details 

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at Chicago KTC 2009

Chicago Karma Thegsum Choling (KTC) is the official home of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje in Chicago. We are a center for study and practice in the Karma Kagyu Buddhist tradition of Tibet. We are affiliated with Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD),  in Woodstock, New York, and are under the guidance of Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, the resident abbot of KTD.

KTC offers instruction for newcomers to meditation, and group meditation sessions for anyone who wishes to attend. Meditation instruction and group practice sessions are offered free of charge. Ongoing classes on Tibetan Buddhism are also available at KTC. Several times a year we have the good fortune of hosting visits of accomplished Buddhist teachers of the Kagyu lineage. These teachers have included Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche,  Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, and Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

The Kagyu tradition dates back to the 10th century in India and remains a flourishing lineage today in the 21st century. The seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who currently resides in India, continues this long tradition of sacred Buddhist instruction.

Chicago KTC was founded over thirty years ago through the blessing of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje during a visit from the Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.  Our membership includes a number of senior students who are available to answer your questions and lend their support.   Lama Sean Jones, a graduate of the three year retreat at Karme Ling, is the current director and resident lama. 

 In the winter of 2003, on the day before the Tibetan New Year, we moved into our current location. The main portion of the building on the upper level has been renovated into a traditional Tibetan Buddhist shrine. The walls of the bright and spacious shrine room are ornamented with mantras and traditional designs which were painted by Tibetan artists and KTC members. Dedicated members also constructed a shrine cabinet to house our 4-foot tall, gold-leafed Buddha statue and other religious statuary. Our next big project will be to renovate an interview room for distinguished teachers such as the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, who we pray will visit us soon!

Karmapa Chenno!