We are proud to announce the new seat of the Venerable Chhoje Rinpoche in North America — Padmasambhava Meditation Center of the Rockies located in Denver, Colorado, near Denver University. The building, formerly a church, is currently undergoing extensive renovations to transform it into a magnificent dharma center. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, it will be a place where Rinpoche will give teachings and invite other Lamas and khenpos to teach on special topics.
As a blessed space, it will be a conducive environment for the sangha to gather and do practice. The plan is for there to be evening and weekend meditation classes, with at least one an annual week long retreat. The project will progress in stages, based on the availability of adequate funding.
In front of the center
There are essentially 2 floors to the building, an upper floor (about 5,500 square feet) featuring a large and spacious shrine room (very open and peaceful space, with plenty of windows and amazing light), a Dharma shop, and a reception area – and a lower floor (approximately 4,000 square feet) that will contain offices, a commercial kitchen, a large dining area, restrooms, additional meeting rooms, and a library. There is also a large (and quite beautiful) entrance area, a large parking lot in front of the building, and one small room at the top of the building, which will be used for Lama/student interviews.
Make a donationChhoje Rinpoche gives a personal tour of the new dharma center!
We recorded this video of Chhoje Rinpoche walking through the new Denver Center when it was still in shell form. It is wonderful to hear his vision for the space!
Update on Phase One
We are pleased to report to you on the progress on Rinpoche’s Padmasambhava Meditation Center of the Rockies!
Great progress has been made inside the main level of the center. All heating/cooling, electrical, audio/visual, insulation and plumbing has been completed for the main level. Dry walling will be completed by the beginning of June and then the flooring will be installed.
We are very excited that the three statues that Rinpoche ordered arrived safely. They are the Buddha, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche.
Now, the roof of the building has been replaced and work on the exterior of the building will begin at the beginning of June. The exterior will be redone in stucco with “traditional” Tibetan window treatments.
- Constructing the throne for the statues and consecrating them
- Construction of shelving for texts in the shrine area
- Finish work, including the windows, doors, trim work, shelving units
- Bathrooms
- Exterior stucco
- Elevator
With this progress, we hope to have Phase One construction complete by mid-August. We will keep everyone updated on the opening ceremonies as soon as we have determined the exact date of completion.
Help Bring Rinpoche’s Vision to Fruition
- $200,000 for the general construction including plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling;
- $15,000 for the altar construction, and the finishing & shipping of sacred statues (and purchase of blessed mantras “zoong”)
- $145,000 for the finishing work including dry wall, flooring, painting, and fixtures
- $80,000 for high end audio/visual equipment
- $5,000 for meditation cushions – gomdens, zambutans, and zafus
- $10,000 for new windows for the meditation hall
- $5000 for tables, chairs, supplies for hosting teachings
Phase Two
During Phase Two we focus on the downstairs section of the structure, with the goal of building a library, a commercial kitchen, various offices (including one for Rinpoche), a dining hall, and a caretaker’s residential suite. We need to raise approximately $250,000 to complete all of these rooms.
On-going operating expenses
In addition to construction costs, the Center has a variety of operating expenses. Additional donations will go to the following expense categories:
- Rinpoche’s health insurance
- Lama travel expenses
- Office supplies and postage
- Website maintenance
- Utilities
- Professional services
May All Beings Benefit!
