Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
KSK (Kagyu Shenpen Kunchab)was founded by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche in 1975.
What is your primary product or service?
KSK provides a place for study and practice of Buddha Dharma under guidance of the Venerable Lama Karma Dorje and various qualified teachers. The center regularly sponsors visits of Buddhist masters of all traditions. Our lineage is Shangpa Kagyu.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Our resident teacher, the Very Venerable Lama Karma Dorje was born in a village near Gangtrok, Sikkim. He started his Buddhist training at the age of 12 and became a novice monk at the age of 30, at Sonada Monastery in Darjeeling with His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche. He later took full ordination at Rumtek, Sikkim, the monastery of His Holiness the Karmapa, and then completed three year retreat in Sonada. He is an accomplished painter in the thangka tradition, the sacred art of Tibet. In 1980 His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche and H.H. Karmapa requested him to visit various centers in Europe, France, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. In 1981 His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche asked him to come to Santa Fe, where he has remained as director of the KSK. Lama Dorje is also the director of the Dharma Center in Taos, Kagyu Degyi Choling, where he has a retreat cabin and a 30 ft. Stupa.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are the oldest established continuously extant Buddhist center in Santa Fe.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We welcome visitors and new dharma students at all times.
Provide detailed directions to your location
From I25, take the Cerrillos Road exit, proceed along Cerrillos Road to Airport Road. Make a left onto Airport and an eigth mile after the South Meadows traffic light, look to your left for the Stupa -- turn into KSK lane.
Which areas do you service?
The Noble Truth Dharma Store is located on the premises. It is owned and operated by a Tibetan family. They carry high quality materials for Buddhist practice, singing bowls, incense, prayer flags, wool rugs, jewelry, etc. Their hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
What are your hours of operation?
Ongoing Practices:
Chenrezig Practice - Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Green Tara Practice - Sundays at 9:00am
Please arrive at least 10 minutes in advance of practice times listed for both services above.
Chod Instruction and Practice - Saturdays at 10:00am
Sitting Meditation -Sundays at 10:45am
Walking Meditation -Sundays at 11:25am
Guided Tong-Len and Metta Meditation -Sundays at 11:30am