Kadam Chöling

Nestled in Haarlem, not Amsterdam, Kadam Chöling beckons. Kadam Chöling translates to “place where the teachings of the old and new Kadampa, later called Gelugpa, are preserved and developed”. Established in 1992, Kadam Chöling is a center for Tibetan Buddhism in the Netherlands. It thrives under the guidance of Venerable Dagpo Lama Rinpoche Jhampa Gyatso. Kadam Chöling isn’t just one entity. It comprises two distinct organizations: the religious community and the supporting foundation. The foundation, Stichting Kadam Chöling, was formed in 2005. Its primary purpose is to bolster the activities of the religious community. It achieves this mainly through publishing books and transcripts. The foundation also acts as an intermediary for prayer requests to the Dagpo Monastery in India. Furthermore, the foundation oversees Entraide Franco Tibétaine-NL. This allows Dutch donors to support Tibetan refugees and a home for elderly people in need in southern (Mundgod) and central (Mainpat) India. Projects also include aid to the Dagpo Monastery and the Dakpo Thosamling school in Kais. Kadam Chöling also hosts weekend retreats. One such retreat focused on “Mental Factors”. It began on a Friday evening with an introduction and continued through the weekend with guided sessions. While Kadam Chöling welcomes those of any background, it also serves its members by providing an introduction to various aspects of the Dagpo Lamrim tradition in the Netherlands. It offers a space for community and learning. Since 2013, the religious community has occupied a center in Haarlem. This center includes a meeting room, a temple, and a garden. Most activities are held here, and the center is typically open to the public during these events. The activities of Kadam Chöling are made possible by volunteers and donations. This voluntary work minimizes costs, allowing the center to offer free activities.