Upcoming Retreats

 


Exploring Buddhism

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok

June 16 - December 14, 2025
Registration Now Open for the next module Exploring the Fundamentals of Reasoning and Debate at Ocean of Compassion, starting September 15th!    Exploring Buddhism is the newest foundational-level course co-developed by FPMT Education Services and senior FPMT teachers, including Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Geshe Tenzin Legtsok, and Venerable Joan Nicell. Geshe Tenzin Namdak and Geshe Tenzin Legtsok serve as the main contributors. The program has been revised from the original pilot offered at various FPMT centers.   It was conceived as a bridge between the FPMT Discovering Buddhism and the FPMT Basic Program. The EB program presents selected topics that provide…

North American Community Prayers

Venerable Angie Muir

July 24 - December 26, 2025
Weekly Regional Collective Prayers: For Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Auspicious Return, the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and World Peace   Every Thursday | 8:30 - 9:00 am (PT) | Online Only   All are welcome! This is a precious opportunity for FPMT students, staff, and volunteers across North America to gather in unity, generating collective merit and deepening our regional community bonds. These practices are led by rotating facilitators from centers and projects throughout the region.   Join us each Thursday morning for a short but powerful 30-minute collective practice, which will include a rotating schedule of:…

Discover the Heart of Buddhist Meditation at the Wisdom Center

Venerable Angie Muir

August 30 - September 27, 2025
Vajrapani Institute is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Land of Medicine Buddha and the Wisdom Center to offer beginner-friendly Saturday morning classes, available both online and in person in the heart of Santa Cruz.   Designed to be welcoming and accessible, these sessions offer a gentle introduction to Buddhist teachings in a supportive community setting.     Discover the Heart of Buddhist Meditation with Ven. Angie Muir Date: Five Saturdays, Aug 30th- Sept. 27th Time: 9:30-11:00 AM (PT) Where: The Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz and Online Via Zoom* The Galleria, Suite 240 COMMUNITY ROOM 740 Front Street, Santa…

In-Depth Meditation Training: The Radiant Ground – Emptiness and Buddha Nature

Venerable Losang Gendun

September 6 - November 29, 2025
We’re delighted to announce that Vajrapani Institute is now offering the FPMT program, In-Depth Meditation Training, led by Venerable Losang Gendun. This four year course is designed so that students can join at any time and immediately benefit. Each class includes 60 minutes of guided meditation followed by 90 minutes of lecture, including Q&A. Over 100 students from around the globe come together each week for this transformative program!   Year 3, Term 1 The Radiant Ground: Emptiness and Buddha Nature Saturdays: September 6th to November 29th 6:30 AM- 9:00 AM (PST) Online via Zoom   About IDMT Although grounded…

Solar Eclipse Tara Puja

Venerable Angie Muir

September 21, 2025
Solar Eclipse Tara Puja: For Protection and Fulfillment     Please join us for a Solar Eclipse Tara Puja on September 21st with Ven Angie Muir from 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM (PT) on Zoom.  This puja will be in English. September 21st is a Solar Eclipse making it a merit-multiplying day, which increases the strength of the puja. Merit refers to the positive energy or spiritual benefit accumulated through virtuous actions, thoughts, and practices that align with the path of compassion and wisdom. Merit multiplies 100 million times when there is  solar eclipse!  Tara Puja is a devotional practice invoking…

Approaching the Buddhist Path

Venerable Gyalten Chimé

September 25 - November 13, 2025
Thursdays: Sept 25 through Nov 13, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm (PT) Location: Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz and ONLINE The Galleria, Suite 240 COMMUNITY ROOM 740 Front Street, Santa Cruz​ ​​ Vajrapani Institute is honored to host this course in collaboration with Land of Medicine Buddha and The Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz. In hopes of building community and making the Dharma as accessible as possible, this course will be held in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz at the Wisdom Center. Thank you to the Wisdom Center!   This 8-week training includes 1.5 hours per week of instruction, practice, lectures, skill-building, and…

Buddhist Mind Science: Cultivating Lasting Happiness

Elaine Jackson

October 4 - November 8, 2025
Vajrapani Institute is delighted to announce Buddhist Mind Science: Module One with Elaine Jackson in person at the Wisdom Center and online.  This new FPMT course is great for beginners and is part of a collaboration with Land of Medicine Buddha and the Wisdom Center to offer beginner-friendly Saturday morning classes, available both online and in person in the heart of Santa Cruz.     Buddhist Mind Science: Cultivating Lasting Happiness with Elaine Jackson Dates: Four Saturdays-  Oct. 4, 18, 25, and Nov 8 (no class Oct 11 or Nov 1) Times: 9:30-11:00 AM (PT) followed by an Optional 30…

Full Moon Medicine Buddha Puja

Venerable Angie Muir

October 7, 2025
Medicine Buddha Puja: Ultimate Healing Join us for a morning Full Moon Medicine Buddha Puja Tuesday, October 7th at 8:00 AM!   October 7th is a full moon, merit-multiplying day, which increases the strength of the puja. Merit refers to the positive energy or spiritual benefit accumulated through virtuous actions, thoughts, and practices that align with the path of compassion and wisdom.   The Medicine Buddha puja purifies and heals on all levels: physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental. Medicine Buddha is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings. Prayers to Medicine Buddha are especially powerful because of…

Wise Hope: Buddhist Practices for Uncertain Times

Guy Newland

October 10 - 12, 2025
Join us for a transformative weekend retreat in the heart of the redwood forest, where we’ll explore the deep intersection of hope and Buddhism in a time of uncertainty.   Surrounded by ancient trees and held in a supportive community (Sangha), we’ll reflect on the Three Jewels—finding guidance in the Buddha, freedom in the Dharma, and inspiration in each other. Led by renowned Buddhist scholar and teacher Guy Newland, this retreat offers an opportunity to dive into the concept of "wise hope": a resilient hope not bound by expectation, but rooted in compassion, clarity, and courageous action.    Through meditation,…

Practicing Compassion in a Fragmented World

Venerable Losang Gendun

October 17 - 19, 2025
Weekend Retreat: Practicing Compassion in a Fragmented World   In-Depth Meditation Training with Venerable Losang Gendun   In person and Online   Transforming Adversity through Atisha’s Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland   In a time marked by division and uncertainty, how can we keep our hearts open without becoming overwhelmed? How can we meet conflict—not with fear or anger—but with clarity, courage, and compassion?   This weekend retreat offers a deep immersion into Atisha’s classic Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland, a practical and powerful guide to transforming everyday challenges into the path of awakening. Rooted in the Tibetan lojong tradition, this practice shows us…

Exploring Buddhism: Exploring the Path Retreat

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok

November 6 - 14, 2025
**This Retreat is Module 2.2 of the Exploring Buddhism Program and is now open for to the  public to register To proceed on the stages of the path to enlightenment, it is important to have a good roadmap. Exploring the Path allows us to get an overview of all topics of contemplation for the entire spiritual journey. Exploring the Path delves more deeply into the Lamrim, the step-by-step path to enlightenment.  Students will learn how to integrate this profound yet practical wisdom into daily life—cultivating greater peace, happiness, and compassion. The retreat includes insightful teachings, engaging discussions, and a variety of…

Training the Mind, Awakening the Heart

Geshe Thubten Sherab

November 28 - 30, 2025
Join us for a weekend of insight, reflection, and renewal as we explore the timeless wisdom of Seven Point Mind Training with beloved teacher Geshe Thubten Sherab. This profound yet practical approach to inner transformation has inspired spiritual seekers for centuries. With warmth, clarity, and gentle humor, Geshe Sherab will guide us through teachings and meditative practices that help us shift everyday challenges—like stress, anger, or disappointment—into opportunities for compassion, patience, and greater peace of mind. Whether you're navigating a life transition, seeking deeper meaning, or simply wanting to reconnect with your heart’s natural resilience, this retreat offers tools to…

Green Tara and White Tara Initiation Weekend

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa

December 12 - 14, 2025
Add yourself to the Waitlist, Registration will be open soon!   Tara Initiation Weekend Retreat with Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa December 12–14 | Vajrapani Institute   Join us for a rare and precious opportunity to receive teachings and initiations from Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa, one of the last Tibetan Buddhist scholars educated in Tibet before the Chinese invasion. Renowned for his deep wisdom and compassion, Rinpoche has played a key role in preserving the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and bringing it to the West.   We are honored to welcome Rinpoche back to Vajrapani Institute for a special Tara…

New Year’s Vajrasattva Practice Retreat

Elaine Jackson

December 29, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Most of us operate from profound ignorance, a solid mis-knowing. This ignorance – that happiness and unhappiness come from somewhere “out there” – blocks us from seeing our clear light mind. The Vajrasattva practice purifies our mind from grasping so strongly onto the mistaken view. Utilizing time-tested visualization and meditation, deluded states – pain, sorrow, hatred, pride, jealousy, doubt – lose their power. Our mind is purified. We’ll explore why this powerful Vajrasattva practice actually works, and how we can use it in our daily life to grow our happiness.