Founded in 1982, the Jefferson Tibetan Society’s primary function is to provide teaching and meditation practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, as exemplified by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings.
Please visit our Events calendar for the Dharma activities that we continue to sponsor and support. We currently meet in Charlottesville — please e-mail JTS108Va@gmail.com for more information or to be placed on our mailing list.
The Jefferson Tibetan Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation. Donations are tax-deductible. The Jefferson Tibetan Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation, gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations towards the support of Lama Tashi, our programs, our temple, and our development of a retreat center in Central Virginia. Please visit our Support Us page to learn more about ways you can provide support.
Geshe Ngawang Tashi Bapu (a.k.a. Lama Tashi ) is former Principal Chant Master of Drepung Loseling Monastery, one of the largest monasteries of the Dalai Lama. In 2006, Lama Tashi was nominated for the Grammy Award for his album “Tibetan Master Chants” in the “Best Traditional World Music”. Lama Tashi has led Long Life Puja Chanting for the 14th Dalai Lama, the Eminent 99th and 100th Gaden Tripa Rinpoches and many more highly revered masters. The Long Life Puja is a very popular traditional healing ceremony that involves a multiphonic chant performance to heal the listeners and increase their life span. Lama Tashi also led the chanting performance of the Traditional Great Prayer Festival at Bodh Gaya presided over by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2002.
Lama Tashi served as the Principal and Director of the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, India from 2003-2012 and 2012-2018 respectively. While at the Institute he taught Buddhist Philosophy to University level students.