Buddhist Meditation in Fort Lauderdale |
Drolma Buddhist Center For information please scroll down or use the following links: Our Center
Drolma Buddhist Center is located in Oakland Park at 140 W Prospect Rd, just east of I-95, within five minutes drive of the I-95 Oakland Park E exit (31A). This beautiful space offers a meditation room that seats up to 100, as well as a fully-stocked bookstore, including a wide-range of exquisitely-crafted Buddhist statues from Nepal. The new location enables the Center to offer a wide-ranging program of meditation classes, silent meditation, pujas (chanted prayers), retreats, and day courses. "Drolma" is the Tibetan word for "Tara", a popular female Buddha who embodies and grants fearlessness and quick wisdom. We do Tara Puja at our Florida Centers each month.
Kadam Nick Gillespie is the Resident Teacher at Drolma Center. Kadam Nick is a senior meditation teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He was the first Kadampa Teacher in Florida, and established the first three Centers here, as well as starting many branches. Kadam Nick has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for over 23 years under the guidance of his Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Kadam Nick is a dearly loved teacher, renowned for his practical and insightful presentation of Buddha's teachings. Introductory Meditation Classes Thursdays, 7:30-9:00pm Our aim, as at all Kadampa Buddhist Centers, is to provide tools and methods whereby people can find increased peace and happiness in their daily lives. Everyone is welcome! Cost: $9 ($5 for students/limited income) per class. Center Sponsors pay $60 ($35 for students) each month, and can go to any class at the Florida Centers or branches for free. Meditations and Prayers for World Peace Sundays, 10:00am-11:30am
Learn the art of relaxation and stress-release and discover the far-reaching benefits derived from all aspects of Buddhist meditation. Cost: $9 ($5 for students/limited income) per class. Center Sponsors pay $60 ($35 for students) each month, and can go to any class at the Florida Centers or branches for free.
Sundays, 10:00am-11:15am Drolma Center offers a Children's Meditation Program in conjunction with the Meditation & Prayers for World Peace for adults at 10:00-11:15am every Sunday. This meditation program for children will give the opportunity for parents and children to learn to meditate together. Whilst the children's class, taught by Drolma Center senior student Shelli Snyder, meets in its own room, parents will be able to learn and practice meditation in the Meditation Hall with American Buddhist monk Kelsang Zogden, or Miami teacher John de la Cruz. Please pre-register by phone at (954) 537-9191 or email drolma@meditationinflorida.org. Cost: $1 per child. In-depth Buddhist Study Programs Foundation Program Foundation Program is also offered in Miami with John de la Cruz. Our study program is available for anyone interested in a more in-depth study of Buddha’s teachings. We meet on Friday evenings & Saturday mornings to study Geshe Kelsang's books in a systematic manner on the Foundation Program. Students have a chance to share their experiences in paired group discussion and apply authentic lineage instruction to their daily life. Eventually we reach the point where we can transform any situation, however unpleasant, into a positive experience and an opportunity to make progress in our spiritual development. For registration call (954) 537-9191 or email us at drolma@meditationinflorida.org. Mondays, 6:00-7:00pm Using ancient prayers translated into English, we receive the blessings, protection and guidance of the holy beings. We can make requests for ourselves or for others who need help or protection. These spiritual practices create a strong connection with the Buddhas, and help us purify our negativity and fill our mind with positive, healing energy. These meditations are open to everyone, though you might want to try one of the shorter ones first! People sit on chairs or on cushions on the floor. Pujas are open to everyone. However, we recommend that you attend an introductory meditation class before attending these pujas. In addition to the classes at the Center we have weekly classes in Boca Raton, Miami, and North Palm Beach. The Boca Raton class is on Wednesdays at 7:00 - 8:15pm at the Boca Raton Community Center on 150 Crawford Blvd. The Miami class is on Mondays at 7:30 - 8:45pm at the UU Church on 7701 SW 76th Avenue. The North Palm Beach class is on Fridays at 7:00 - 8:15pm at the Unitarian Church on 635 Prosperity Farms Road. Please visit the Boca Raton, Miami, and North Palm Beach pages for more information. Various Saturdays Our Day Courses are monthly events that we hope you will find both fun and inspiring. They generally run from 9:30am to 2:00pm on Sundays and include a talk, meditations, Q & A, time for paired discussion, and a delicious vegetarian lunch! Get your week off to a great start with these practical and informative workshops which are open to everyone. Find out more information about current Florida Center events.
Please check the monthly calendar for dates and times. Our bookstore contains the 20 books written by our Spiritual Director and Principal Teacher, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. These extraordinary texts are suited for both beginners and more experienced meditators. They are also available on CD. Several of his books are also available in Spanish. Geshe Kelsang has taken Buddha's teachings, and without changing their essential meaning, presented them in a way that fits our Western lifestyle. There is also an assortment of cards, statues, sadhanas (prayer books) and other items for anyone who is interested. The bookstore is open before and after all classes at the Center. |
These classes are also suitable for beginners. Without inner peace in the minds of living beings, outer peace is impossible. Start the week off right by learning to increase and maintain a happy, positive mind. Everyone is welcome to join us for an inspirational talk, special prayers and guided meditation to create peace inside of people's hearts and therefore, the world. Every week we make special prayers and dedications for people around the world. 
If you enjoy meditating with others, 
