To fulfill our mission of preserving Tibetan Buddhism and Gyudmed lineage while serving our community, we offer programs that bring together spiritual practice, education, and cultural life under one roof. All programs are open to everyone, Tibetan and non-Tibetan, practicing Buddhists and the curious alike. No prior knowledge or affiliation is required to participate.
- Daily Prayers & Pujas — Our resident monks perform regular ceremonial prayers and rituals following the traditional Gyudmed liturgical calendar, offering blessings for health, prosperity, and peace. Community members are welcome to join these services, sponsor a puja for a loved one, or sit in quiet reflection during prayer times.
- Buddhist Teachings & Discourses — We host lectures, discussions, and study sessions on Buddhist philosophy and practice, led by knowledgeable teachers and monks. These teachings are approachable for newcomers exploring Buddhism for the first time, while still offering depth and substance for long-time practitioners.
- Visiting High Lamas: Teachings & Empowerments — We periodically invite high lamas from the Geluk tradition and other spiritual teachers from across Tibetan Buddhism to visit our temple and offer special teachings and empowerments to the community and public. These rare opportunities allow practitioners to receive direct transmission and blessings from highly realized lamas, deepening their connection to the tradition in ways not otherwise possible.
- Tibetan Cultural Events — Throughout the year, we celebrate important occasions such as Losar (Tibetan New Year), His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, and other significant days in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. These gatherings bring the community together and help preserve traditions that might otherwise fade in the diaspora.
- Community & Language Support — We offer gatherings, classes, and informal support to help Tibetan families in New York stay connected to their language, culture, and each other while welcoming neighbours from other backgrounds who wish to learn alongside us.
- Sacred Arts Preservation — Our monks train in and demonstrate the traditional ritual arts of the Gyudmed lineage, including sacred chanting, the craft of sand mandala construction, and butter sculpture. These living skills have been passed down for centuries and are kept alive through direct transmission from teacher to student.
- Sand Mandala Offerings & Tours — As part of our commitment to sharing this tradition beyond our temple walls, our monks travel across the United States to create sacred sand mandalas at universities, cultural centers, and community events. These tours offer audiences a rare, close-up encounter with one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most beautiful and meditative art forms. Each mandala’s ritual dissolution afterward serves as a profound teaching on impermanence.
- Temple Tours & Visits — We welcome visitors, school groups, and community organizations to tour Gyudmed Tara Temple, learn about our history and daily monastic life, and see our shrine hall and sacred objects firsthand. We can arrange guided visits for individuals or groups interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism and culture.