Daily stress doesn’t have to control your life. Whether you’re dealing with overwhelming thoughts, struggling to stay calm during conflicts, or searching for genuine contentment that doesn’t depend on everything going perfectly, there are practical tools that can help.

What We Offer

Real skills for real life. Our Buddhist courses for beginners teach you how to recognize the mental patterns driving your daily reactions and learn to direct your inner energy toward peace and purpose. This isn’t about sitting cross-legged for hours or emptying your mind—it’s about becoming aware of what motivates your actions and developing your inner wisdom.

Build emotional resilience. Learn to cultivate patience, forgiveness, and contentment that don’t crumble when things don’t go your way. Discover how small acts of kindness—a warm smile, a word of encouragement—can lift spirits and create meaningful connections, starting with yourself.

Develop lasting inner strength. Through gentle meditation practices anyone can learn, you’ll explore essential human qualities that research shows can literally rewire your brain for greater happiness and resilience. From humility and courage to genuine caring for others, these aren’t abstract concepts—they’re practical capacities you can strengthen.

Buddhist Courses Designed for Beginners

No meditation cushions required. No previous experience needed. Just bring curiosity about your inner potential and a willingness to try something different. Our approach includes:

• Short guided meditation and discussion in a welcoming, non-judgmental space
• Flexible scheduling with drop-in options that work with busy lives
• Practical techniques you can use whenever you need clarity, calm, or connection
• Experienced teachers who make Buddhist teachings accessible for modern challenges

Why Study Buddhism?

In a world that often feels chaotic, these courses offer something rare: proven methods for staying grounded. You’ll learn to respond rather than react, find contentment with what you have, and discover the deep satisfaction that comes from genuinely caring for others.

Are the Classes Actually Free?

Yes! All of our classes and events are free if you do not have the means to pay. We encourage you to donate what you can or become a member. As a non-profit organization fueled by the generosity of individuals like you, we thrive on your support to keep our mission alive.

By becoming a member or benefactor of The Buddhist Center, you help us to fulfill our mission of building bridges between the authentic Tibetan Buddhist tradition and Western culture by using modern, innovative methods and technology to communicate Dharma and to reach people of all ages and backgrounds.

Your journey toward inner strength, authentic happiness, and meaningful connection starts here.

Beginner’s Buddhist Courses 2025 (Online & In-Person)

September: Be Your Own Therapist with Miffi Maxmillion

Tuesdays September 2-23

7:00–8:00 pm MT

ONLINE ONLY

These open-ended 60-minute discussions are an easy-going introduction to the Buddhist approach to the mind. Participants learn how to pay attention to, identify and then unpack the thoughts that inform our emotions in day-to-day life and learn how to reconfigure them, rather than focusing on the event or person that triggered them. This is the key to success in Buddhist practice. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche says, “We can mold our mind into any shape we like.”

October: Introduction to Mindfulness with Tony Reis

Tuesdays, October 7-21

ONLINE & IN-PERSON

This course is designed to introduce you to the definition, practices and techniques of mindfulness. You will learn to apply mindfulness to enhance mental focus and clarity through calming physical tensions and mental agitations, often due to stress. You will better discern and work with your thinking habits through mindfulness. You will also learn to nurture positive, wholesome inner qualities with mindfulness practice. This course is particularly suited for those who are new to mindfulness and would like to learn simple ways of applying mindfulness in their daily life.

November: Be Your Own Therapist with Miffi Maxmilion

November 11-25, 7:00 to 8:00 PM

ONLINE ONLY

These open-ended 60-minute discussions are an easy-going introduction to the Buddhist approach to the mind. Participants learn how to pay attention to, identify and then unpack the thoughts that inform our emotions in day-to-day life and learn how to reconfigure them, rather than focusing on the event or person that triggered them. This is the key to success in Buddhist practice. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche says, “We can mold our mind into any shape we like.”

November: Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life with Ven. Sangye Khadro

Thursdays, November 6–December 11th

ONLINE ONLY

Kindness is something we all recognize—whether it’s a warm smile, a word of encouragement, or a simple gesture that reminds us we’re not alone. These small acts can lift our spirits, soften our hearts, and ease the burdens we quietly carry. They speak to something deep within us: the wish to feel seen, supported, and cared for. And just as we appreciate other people being kind to us, others appreciate it when we are kind to them. 

Ven. Sangye Khadro, the author of the book inspiring this course, Awakening the Kind Heart, will guide us in cultivating kindness as a way of life. Kindness isn’t just something that exists in us by chance, it’s a capacity we can actively nurture and strengthen. Through guided meditations, discussion, and teachings, we’ll explore how to open our hearts more fully, how to respond to ourselves and others with kindness, and how to bring more patience and compassion into everyday interactions.

Whether you’re new to Buddhist practice or simply looking for a way to reconnect with your natural capacity for goodness, this course offers a welcoming space to reflect, grow, and deepen the habit of kindness in daily life.

December: Meditation 101 with Ven. Losang Dondrub

Tuesdays, Dec 2-23, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

ONLINE ONLY

The verb we translate as “to meditate” in Tibetan, gom, literally means “to familiarize.” First we listen to the teachings, then think about their meaning, and, finally thoroughly familiarize our mind with them in meditation, gaining direct experiential knowledge of their reality.

This module introduces the student to various simple techniques, including concentration, analytical meditation, and visualization, which is a specialty of Tibetan Buddhism.

Ongoing Events for Beginners to Buddhism

The Mindful Path: Meditations for Everyday Wisdom and Wellbeing with Ven. Losang Dondrub

Saturdays, every other week, August 2nd to February 28th

ONLINE & IN PERSON

This course offers a practical path to developing the inner strength to stay calm during conflict, find genuine contentment with what you have, and discover the joy that comes from truly caring for others. Through guided meditation and shared reflection, you’ll cultivate these essential human qualities.

Immersive Sound Healing

IN-PERSON EVENT

Join us at The Buddhist Center for a transformative Immersive Sound Bath with Tia Aurorah. Through soothing vibrations and harmonic tones, Tia will guide you into deep relaxation, helping to calm the nervous system, release tension, and restore balance. Whether you’re seeking renewal, peace, or simply a moment to pause, this experience invites you to reconnect with yourself.

Monthly Movie Nights

IN-PERSON EVENT

Every month, The Buddhist Center hosts a community movie night in our beautiful gompa. These screenings are free and open to all! Bring your friends, family, and favorite movie snacks for a relaxing Saturday night.

Check out the full Buddhist Journey with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced classes, events, and offerings!