Drepung Loseling Monastery

I spent several afternoons over several months in small group study for the Foundation series with the venerable Geshe Ngawang Phende in 2014 and early 2015. Understanding the roots of meditation from the Buddhist teachings was life changing for me and I hope to continue my studies further this coming year. We are so very lucky to have the North American seat of one of the largest monasteries in Tibet right here in Atlanta! In the beginning the teachings can appear slow if one is already a daily meditator, however this is a teacher than truly cares that you not only learn the material, but that you understand WHY the method is taught this way. From day one, we are egoless in this space. By midway through the teachings, I never wanted it to end. There’s something lovely about being on a path with the most knowledgable guide and like minded students.

Note the correct address:
1781 Dresden Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30 319
The North American seat of Drepung Loseling, formerly one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and now in exile in India, Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta serves to propagate both Buddhism and the Tibetan culture in a modern Western setting. Academically affiliated with Emory University, Drepung Loseling hosts numerous events weekly, ranging from beginner’s Buddhism classes to guided meditation sessions to Tibetan cultural activities. It certainly is one of the more active Buddhist temples in town. Indeed, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited this place several times and helped spearhead the academic intersection between Western and Tibetan knowledge and culture, with cross-​pollination now between Emory University and the main monastery in India.
The building itself is a former Haitian church, but has been remodeled to include a large and beautiful meditation hall with intricate (and amazing!) Buddha-​inscribed wood-​work, as well as a lobby with Tibetan decorations and a small gift shop. Unfortunately, this «Little Tibet» is not open much during the week, so be sure to call or check the website for hours and events.
Also be sure to check out some of the other Buddhist temples in town that also have classes and guided meditations in English, such as Dharma Jewel Monastery or the Georgia Meditation Center, as they represent different schools of Buddhism. However, for Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism, with its many monks and affiliation with its main monastery in India and visits by the Dalai Lama, Drepung Loseling is undoubtedly the best place in the state, and one of the best in the hemisphere, to study Tibetan Buddhism.

Drepung Loseling Institute is affiliated with Emory University, and is supported by the Dalai Lama as a place to learn about Tibetan Buddhist arts and sciences (The Dalai Lama and Emory are tight. He’s teaching a class there this semester). Check out the institute’s website calendar –
– for a list of speakers and events, including Shamatha meditation and guru yoga practice. It’s totally zen.