ALL CLASSES & EVENTS
Steady in the Storm: A Residential Retreat in Hurleyville, NY
Join us for an in-person, silent meditation retreat led by Lama Lekshe at Hurley House in Hurleyville, NY. The retreat will be an opportunity to study and practice somatic and heart-based meditation, and will include introduction to breath meditation, somatic practices, and 1-on-1 practice support from Lama Lekshe.
Turning the Mind Toward the Dharma
This four evening series will explore traditional contemplations and explore ways we can adapt them to their own lives. This series is suitable for all levels of practitioners, from total beginners to lifelong meditators.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Join us for a small, once-a-month group meditation and teaching, led by Lama Lekshe, in beautiful Corbett, Oregon.
Celebration For Allen and Nan
You are warmly invited to a gathering of gratitude celebrating Allen and Nan Whitaker for their many years of service, care, and dedication to dharma community.
Retreat: Going, Going Gone - Continuous Practice in Life and Death
Join us for a Dekeling Community retreat at Ser Chö Ösel Ling Retreat Center in Goldendale, WA. Led by Lama Lekshe. In this retreat you’ll learn several Tibetan contemplations, practices, and rituals—each of which will enrich your capacity to live fearlessly, and to prepare you for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of death.
DDSP - What Happens? Death Explained
Despite the certainty of death, most of us carry only vague, unexamined ideas about what it is. In this class, we’ll explore death through a clear Tibetan Buddhist lens.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Join us for a small, once-a-month group meditation and teaching, led by Lama Lekshe, in beautiful Corbett, Oregon.
Long Chenrezig: Instruction and Chanting in Tibetan
The Long Chenrezig weaves together mantra, mudra, aspiration prayers, and visualization into a full session of practice. Instruction will be provided, and a music recording will be shared and will guide the chant throughout the morning.
Shamatha-Vipashyana-Mahamudra
The three basic meditation methods in the Kagyu tradition are calm abiding (shamatha), clear seeing (vipashyana), and their fruition the Great Seal (mahamudra). This four evening series will introduce the basic techniques and encourage a daily practice.
Lojong: Tibetan Mind & Heart Training
Lojong — often translated as “mind training” — is one of the great jewels of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Over the course of a year, Lama Lekshe will guide participants through all seven points and their fifty-nine aphorisms, with commentary, guided meditation, and practical instruction for carrying the teachings into daily life.
DDSP - How Dying Works: The Stages of Death
Despite the certainty of death, most of us carry only vague, unexamined ideas about what it is. In this class, we’ll explore death through a clear Tibetan Buddhist lens.
Daylong: Calm Abiding and Clear Seeing
Meditation, reflection, and discussion led by George Draffan.
In-person at the Heart of Wisdom Temple in Portland and online by Zoom.
DDSP - You Are Dying: This Is Your To-Do List
Despite the certainty of death, most of us carry only vague, unexamined ideas about what it is. In this class, we’ll explore death through a clear Tibetan Buddhist lens.
DDSP - Side by Side in Dying
Being present with a dying person is one of the most profound things a human being can do. And yet, most of us have never been taught how. This three-session course focuses on the relational and practical skills that allow us to be genuinely useful — and genuinely present — with someone who is dying.
Daylong: Awakening Heart and Mind.
Meditation, reflection, and discussion led by George Draffan.
In-person at the Heart of Wisdom Temple in Portland and online by Zoom.
Daylong: The Cultivation of Generosity.
Meditation, reflection, and discussion led by George Draffan.
In-person at the Heart of Wisdom Temple in Portland and online by Zoom.
White Tara Sadhana Practice Weekend
Join us for a weekend of White Tara instruction and practice. This class is for beginners and those with some previous exposure as well. Please note, you must have received the White Tara empowerment in order to sign up for this class.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Join us for a small, once-a-month group meditation and teaching, led by Lama Lekshe. This regular event is held at the community space of sangha members Janessa and Wilders, out in beautiful Corbett, Oregon.
Tibetan New Year: Losar Celebration Potluck
Come join us for a Tibetan New Year: Losar Celebration at the Vicarage. We’ll celebrate the New Year and our practice together as friends and community. We’ll be eating momos (tibetan dumplings) from Himalayan Dumplings, a small local business owned by a Tibetan woman.
*Please bring light vegetarian side dishes to accompany the momos. There will be a mix of meat and vegetarian.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Join us for a small, once-a-month group meditation and teaching, led by Lama Lekshe. This regular event is held at the community space of sangha members Janessa and Wilders, out in beautiful Corbett, Oregon.
Four Immeasurables Daylong at the Vicarage
Join us for a day of cultivating the four immeasurables of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. We’ll alternate silent meditation and contemplation with gentle qigong.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Join us for a small, once-a-month group meditation and teaching, led by Lama Lekshe. This regular event is held at the community space of sangha members Janessa and Wilders, out in beautiful Corbett, Oregon.
The Concise Practice of Chenrezi
Chenrezi is the embodiment of compassionate mind. Join us at the Vicarage for a 3-hour teaching and practice session of Chenrezi, in the abbreviated form. No experience is necessary.
New Year’s Eve Practice & Celebration
You and all are warmly invited to join us for an early evening New Year’s celebration and practice at the Dekeling Vicarage and online.
December Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
This gathering offers a beautiful opportunity to come together in practice, nourishment, and community. We look forward to sharing this time with you.
Introduction to the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage
The Shangpa practice lineage of Tibetan Buddhism was founded by the 11th century yogi Khyungpo Naljor. At Dekeling, our community culture and practice is deeply shaped by these spiritual roots. Everyone is welcome to explore with us as we study and celebrate this beautiful path.
Potluck: Gratitude Potluck
Gratitude Potluck
Come join us for a community meal and dharma fellowship. This quarter’s theme is gratitude. Feel free to bring friends and family. Potlucks are free events held at our dharma house, the Vicarage. All are welcome.
Day of Practice at the Vicarage
Unhook from routine activities and devote a day to wholeheartedly cultivating calm abiding, clear seeing, and sympathetic joy.
Pith instructions will be offered by George Draffan and there will be time for Q&A and discussion, but the day will emphasize silent group practice.
We'll intersperse sitting meditation with mindful movement that supports health, balanced energy, and flexibility.
Bring a bag lunch. The vicarage is well supplied with meditation cushions and stools.
November Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Meditation & Teaching Gathering
Saturday, October 18th
Schedule
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Meditation and Teaching Session
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Community Lunch (optional)
Location
Corbett, Oregon
Private center - please register to receive the address
This gathering offers a beautiful opportunity to come together in practice, nourishment, and community. We look forward to sharing this time with you.
Decoding a Thangka
Decoding a Thangka
Back by popular demand, this class lets you in on the secrets of Buddhist scroll paintings called ‘thangkas.’ You’ll learn about the various kinds of thangkas and their uses, and how they are created. We’ll take one thangka and Lama Lekshe will ‘decode’ the small details, each of which is a dharma teaching in itself.
Fall Garden Cleanup and Lunch at the Vicarage
Fall Garden Cleanup and Lunch at the Vicarage - Sat Oct 25
Join us at the Vicarage for a 'come-one-come-all' Fall garden work party at the Vicarage on Saturday, October 25th. We'll arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 AM and work for 2 hours. After, you can join in a warm soup and bread lunch made by others (it's fine to bring something if you want, or not) and some time with sangha. We'll be done by 2 or 3 PM for those who stay for lunch.
The projected forecast is 54 degrees with light rain. It's likely to change as we get closer. If it looks like it will be wet, consider bringing a change of shoes or socks to wear in the Vicarage, so we can keep the mud at bay. If you want gloves, bring some. At this point we only have 2 pairs over here. We have a few tools, but while we grow our collection, maybe you can bring your trowel or borrow one from a friend for the day?
If you'd like to come, but you're not physically able to garden, email Lekshe and she'll send you the list of inside tasks that we could use some help with. No bending or lifting in these jobs.
We'll put the garden to sleep for the season, while leaving some seed pods and so on for the birds and other creatures. Excellent practice.
Ngöndro Series : Mandala Practice
Ngöndro Series
Ngöndro is a series of practices taught in every school of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The practice of Ngöndro helps clear away obstacles and strengthens the accumulation of merit and wisdom. Gradually body and mind are ripened with view, meditation, and experience conducive to forward momentum in understanding and direct experience.
Ngöndro consists of two categories of practice:
the ‘outer preliminaries’ of The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma (precious human birth, impermanence and death, karma and the defects of samsara). Students work individually, guided by Lama Lekshe or Teacher George for this practice for about 7 hours over time.
and the ‘inner preliminaries’ of Refuge, Vajrasattva Practice, Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga, each of which require a little over 100,000 repetitions of a brief practice.
In 2026, our Ngondro students will receive instruction in Vajrasattva, Mandala and Guru Yoga. (Sincere students just beginning can get ‘catch up’ teachings from our teachers.) There is an on-going, open Ngöndro Practice Group as well.
2026 Ngondro: Vajrasattva Practice
Vajrasattva practice is a powerful way to purify body, speech and mind from confusion and previous harmful actions. Our traditional approach uses recitation of liturgy, visualizations, and mantra recitation, as well as extending the practice beyond formal mediation to daily life.
Meditation & Lunch Gathering in Corbett, Oregon
Meditation & Teaching Gathering
Saturday, October 18th
Schedule
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Meditation and Teaching Session
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Community Lunch (optional)
Location
Corbett, Oregon
Private center - please register to receive the address
This gathering offers a beautiful opportunity to come together in practice, nourishment, and community. We look forward to sharing this time with you.
Ngöndro Series : Vajrasattva Practice
Ngöndro Series
Ngöndro is a series of practices taught in every school of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The practice of Ngöndro helps clear away obstacles and strengthens the accumulation of merit and wisdom. Gradually body and mind are ripened with view, meditation, and experience conducive to forward momentum in understanding and direct experience.
Ngöndro consists of two categories of practice:
the ‘outer preliminaries’ of The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma (precious human birth, impermanence and death, karma and the defects of samsara). Students work individually, guided by Lama Lekshe or Teacher George for this practice for about 7 hours over time.
and the ‘inner preliminaries’ of Refuge, Vajrasattva Practice, Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga, each of which require a little over 100,000 repetitions of a brief practice.
In 2026, our Ngondro students will receive instruction in Vajrasattva, Mandala and Guru Yoga. (Sincere students just beginning can get ‘catch up’ teachings from our teachers.) There is an on-going, open Ngöndro Practice Group as well.
2026 Ngondro: Vajrasattva Practice
Vajrasattva practice is a powerful way to purify body, speech and mind from confusion and previous harmful actions. Our traditional approach uses recitation of liturgy, visualizations, and mantra recitation, as well as extending the practice beyond formal mediation to daily life.
FULL | Hurley House 2025 III - Mind Like the Sky Retreat
From October 7-12, we will host a special meditation retreat led by beloved teacher and American Tibetan Buddhist nun Lama Lekshe, to support us in raising funds to continue the renovation of the Hurley House in Hurleyville, New York.
Mind Like Sky is part of a traditional sequence of Tibetan meditation instruction: “Body like a mountain, breath like the wind, mind like the sky.”
How many times have you been in nature and felt the captivating effect of mountains, wind, and sky? The body is energized but relaxed. The mind rests comfortably. The heart is stirred by the endless energy and beauty of life. In Tibet, windswept mountains and azure sky are impactful teachers of how to relax into the bare essence of human experience. Resting in that place—before story, before all conceptual overlay and the ‘noise’ of modern life is a deep peace and access to wise knowing and clear seeing.

