FAQs

What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a tradition based on the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, who lived in the 5th century B.C.E. in Northern India and taught the way to release from suffering.
What are the major Buddhist traditions?
There are two main traditions: Theravada (Way of the Elders) and Mahayana (Great Vehicle). The Mahayana tradition can be further divided into Sutrayana and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle).
What is Vajrayana?
Vajrayana, also called Tibetan Buddhism, is the form of Buddhism common in Tibet and the Himalayas. It was introduced into Tibet from Northern India between the 7th and 11th centuries. This was the height of Buddhism in India, and all the major texts were translated and preserved in Tibet before Buddhism almost completely disappeared in India after the 11th century.
What is the Nyingma tradition?
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Vajrayana. Its name means “Early Translation School Tradition,” because the Nyingmapa (Nyingma practitioners) trace their lineage back to Padmasambhava, the leading figure in the first wave of Buddhism’s permanent establishment Tibet.
Who is Padmasambhava?
Padmasambhava is considered by Vajrayana Buddhists to be a reincarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha. He played a central role in bringing Buddhism to Tibet in partnership with the great Abbot Shantarakshita and Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen. He taught widely and hid teachings (called terma) to be discovered many years later, when the time was ripe.
What practices can I participate in at your center?
Recitation of Heart Sutra: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights
Medicine Buddha: 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday
Calm Abiding Meditation: 7:30 PM Wednesday & 10:00 AM Sunday
Spanish Practices:: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays Calm Abiding Meditation alternating with recitation of Heart Sutra
Prayer of Kuntuzangpo: 7:30 PM on the night of the full moon
Recitation of Ngondro: 10:00 AM on the first and third Saturday
Buddha Shakyamuni:: 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday
White Umbrella:: 10:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday
Please come one-half hour early if you are new to a practice, so that you will have a chance to ask questions and get comfortable before the practice begins.
What other activities are available at your center?
Open House
The center is open for visitors every Saturday 11am – 1pm. Our shrine room is open for private meditation, our bookstore is open for browsing and there are usually people around for conversation.
Library
Our library contains several hundred Dharma-related books. Visitors are welcome to browse or sit and read. Members are welcome to check books out.
Bookstore
Our bookstore offers a variety of Dharma-related books, art, jewelry and ritual items. As far as we know, we are the largest source of Buddhist books, art and ritual items north of Miami.
Winter Retreat
Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche comes to West Palm Beach each January for a week-long winter retreat. During the retreat he teaches every day, offers empowerment, and joins his students in practice. A donation is requested to help defray the costs of retreat. Members of the public are always welcome. Information about the winter retreat is usually posted on this website as well as the Padmasambhava.org website by mid-November.
Fall Teaching
Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche often comes to West Palm Beach in the fall, if his schedule permits, to offer a weekend retreat. Information about these retreats is posted on this website as early as possible, usually several weeks in advance. A donation is requested to help defray the costs of retreat. Members of the public are always welcome.
Webcasts
Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche also offers teachings to his students through webcasts which can be viewed at our center.
Nyungne Retreat in October w/ Lama Lorraine O’Rourke
Lama Lorraine, a Buddhist nun and long-time aide to the Ven.Khenpo Rinpoches, usually visits the West Palm Beach Sangha in early October to lead the two-day Nyungne Retreat. We post the announcement for this retreat as soon as it is confirmed and send an announcement to everyone on our e-mail list.
The Nyungne practice of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), the Buddha of Compassion, is a purification achieved through silence and fasting. This profound teaching on Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara was transmitted through the stainless lineage of the great accomplished female master, Gelongma Palmo. Practicing it with great devotion will increase peace, happiness and fortune, and will fulfill all wishes in this life. In the next life it will bring rebirth in Dewachen (Sukhavati), enjoying the glory of bliss and pleasure.
One-Day Retreats
We offer half-day or full day retreats at different times during the year. These retreats include periods of group meditation and chanting as directed by Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche. These retreats are posted on this website in advance, and we send out announcements to everyone on our e-mail list.
Occasional get-togethers for movies, potlucks, etc.
Community is important, and we get together periodically to celebrate our good luck in finding the Dharma and each other. We may watch a Dharma-related movie, share a potluck or have a work day at the center. These events are posted on this website in advance, and we send out announcements to everyone on our e-mail list.
Where is your center?
In Lake Worth, Florida, in the southern part of Palm Beach County, near I-95. For more information and directions, please click.
How can I get more information?
If you click on the highlighted words on this page, you will be linked with other webpages that will tell you more. Also, please explore the rest of our website, which includes a library, photo gallery and link to Padmasambhava.org, our teachers’ main website.
You can also email us at info@pbdc.net or call us at (561) 547-4711.
Is there a fee for participating in activities at your center?
All regularly scheduled activities at our Center are free for everyone. We do ask for donations when we have special events such as retreats, webcasts, or live teachings by Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche in order to help pay the costs associated with these events, and we have fundraising events from time to time.
How can I support your center?
The most important way to support us is through your prayers and practice. Since we are a completely volunteer organization funded by donations, we are also grateful to those who choose to make contributions or become dues-paying members. If you would like to make a contribution or become a member, please click.
What are the material benefits of membership?
Members receive discounts on suggested donations for special events of PBC, locally and at all of the PBC international centers. This includes teaching events of Ven. Khenpo Rinpoche, such as the eight day Dzogchen Winter Retreat, held annually in the Palm Beaches. They are also able to check out books from our reading library.
What other projects is your sangha involved in?
We are developing Palden Sherab Pema Ling Retreat Center on the site of a former horse farm in the countryside west of Jupiter. Information on this exciting project is available on the Pema Ling page of this website, or by asking someone at the center in person, by phone, or by email.
Also, the Palm Beach Dharma Center has been asked by the Khenpo Rinpoches to take special responsibility for the Miracle Stupa in Shravasti, India. The larger Sangha of Padmasambhava Buddhist Center is involved in several ongoing projects, including a monastery and nunnery in Sarnath, India, and a monastery restoration project. Please click here for more information on these and other projects.