Buddhist Meditation Center

Buddhism is a remarkable tradition descended from the Buddha himself. It consists of his teachings and the lineage of men and women who continue to practice and transmit the teachings to the present day.

Buddhism is different from other religions as it is non-theistic and does not seek happiness or answers from worshiping external gods. It is also very different from the materialistic belief that all that exists arises from the physical world.

In Buddhism the mind is seen as the root of all suffering and happiness; it is our intention and the actions that follow (Sanskrit: karma) that drive our future experience. At its core, Buddhism is concerned with freeing ourselves and others from suffering by discovering the true nature of mind.

Sakya Tradition

Sakya Refuge TreeThe Sakya tradition is known as the ‘owner of all the Buddha’s teachings’ due to the vast extent of teachings and practices it has preserved in its long history.

The head of the Sakya school is known as Sakya Trizin, meaning throne holder of Sakya. The current Sakya Trizin is the forty-first in the line of Sakya throne-holders.

Dechen LA is the Dechen Buddhist Center, Santa Monica, and the other groups founded by Lama Jampa Thaye in the Los Angeles area.

They are part of the Dechen international association of Sakya and Karma-Kagyu Buddhist centers founded by Lama Jampa Thaye under the spiritual authority of Karma Thinley Rinpoche.

History of Dechen Buddhist Center

The first Dechen Kagyu center, Kagyu Ling, was founded in Manchester, UK in 1975 and the first Dechen Sakya center, Thinley Rinchen Ling, was founded in Bristol, UK in 1977. Since that time numerous centers and groups have been established across the UK, Europe and the Americas.

Dechen Buddhist Center Santa Monica, was established by Lama Jampa Thaye in 2010 and is the first Dechen center in the U.S.. It was given the name Sakya Samten Ling. This followed numerous visits to Los Angeles by Lama Jampa to give teachings to students who live in the area.