Who We Are
All Are Welcome
The Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center was founded based upon the Tibetan cultural ideal of a “gompa”—a place of solitude and peace where both lay people and monastics can hear Buddhist teachings; engage in prayer, contemplation, and meditation; and attend to their spiritual needs during life’s important junctures. As a non-sectarian Center, we welcome all, whether Buddhist or non-Buddhist, whether seasoned practitioner or curious novice.
TBLC’s Mission
At TBLC’s inception, our founder, Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, requested His Holiness the Dalai Lama to bestow a Tibetan name upon our Center. His Holiness chose “Labsum Shedrup Ling,” which translates as “The Center for Studying and Practicing the Three Higher Trainings (in Ethical Discipline, Meditative Concentration, and Wisdom).” In keeping with this emphasis on the intertwining of intellectual investigation and practical application, TBLC’s mission is guided by 3 aims:
Educate
To provide an education in the
Buddha’s Teachings to all
interested students.
Assemble Resources
To provide the resources and
facilities for the study and practice of
the Buddha’s Teachings
Facilitate Continuation
To engage in activities that support
the continued flourishing of the
Buddha’s Teachings and Buddhist
religious culture
All of our events, programs, ritual services, and undertakings are designed and planned with this central mission in mind.
Visiting Teachers and Resident Monastic Scholars
One of the things that makes TBLC such a special and sacred space is the many religious persons who have blessed our grounds with their presence, including Geshe Wangyal, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Venerable Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe, Venerable Doboom Tulku Rinpoche, and numerous other special teachers. Our many generations of Resident Monastic Scholars have also made TBLC a true jewel of the Buddhist Sangha.
Current Monastic Scholars
All of TBLC’s Resident Monastic Scholars are “geshes,” a title reserved for those monastics who have accomplished a rigorous 20-year curriculum involving the study, debate, and contemplation of the 5 Major Treatises of Buddhist philosophy as well as their related topics. They infuse their teaching with passion for the dharma, lend their scholarly expertise to TBLC’s translation projects, and share their commitment to service when attending to TBLC members and visitors.
Geshe Lobsang Sopa
Geshe Thupten Rapsal
Geshe Thupwang
TBLC Co-Directors
TBLC is directed by Joshua and Diana Cutler, who lived and worked closely with Geshe Wangyal for many years. Since his passing in 1983, they have continued to voluntarily administer and coordinate all TBLC programs. They also serve as resident teachers, translators, and stewards of the TBLC resources.
For a 2018 PBS-39 video interview with the Cutlers, introducing TBLC, click here.
Photo by Armen Elliott