Our Mission

Vision

To offer people the meditative tools to recognize the nature of their minds and achieve their highest potential for the benefit of all.

Mission

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture supports the transformation of spiritual teachings into experience through contemplative retreat. As a spiritual community serving the needs of retreaters in all traditions, we are nurtured by the energy of our Tibetan Buddhist founder Lama Thubten Yeshe and our spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche, by our teachers and holy objects, and by the stillness of the California redwood forest.

Values

Wisdom – where mind awakens

Harmony– where joy flows

Loving-Hearted– where kindness is

Spaciousness– where all expands

Clarity– where vision is present

Trust– where friends share

Diversity– where all aspects of people are respected.

 

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition and is dedicated to preserving Lama Tsong Khapa’s rich living tradition of wisdom and compassion.

Upcoming Retreats

In-Depth Meditation Training

Venerable Losang Gendun

February 7 - April 18, 2026
Year 3, Term 2 The Radiant Ground: Emptiness and Buddha Nature   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 2: 11 Saturdays February 7 – April 18, 2026 6:30am – 9:00am Pacific Time NOTE: On March 21st and 28th we will have class from 7:30am to 10:00am   Online Only    In-Depth Meditation Training (IDMT)…

New Moon Losar Medicine Buddha Puja with Light Offerings

Venerable Angie Muir

February 18, 2026
8am - 9am (PT) - Online Only   Join us as we welcome the Tibetan New Year (Losar) with a special New Moon Losar Medicine Buddha Puja led by Ven. Angie. This puja will be especially powerful since it is said that karmic results are multiplied by one hundred million times during Losar and the subsequent 15 Days of Miracles.   The Medicine Buddha Puja invokes the healing energy of all enlightened beings, bringing purification and blessings on physical, mental, and spiritual levels. It is especially beneficial for those who are ill or have recently passed.   You may also sponsor…

Our Blog

  • Spring has officially arrived and with it a sense of renewal, a spark of hope. Trees are leafing and blossoming. So many wildflowers dot the hillsides. Bees are buzzing and early morning birds chatter like townsfolk exclaiming the beauty of this valley.  Living a quiet......

Vajrapani Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition www.FPMT.org