Our contemplative center in Seattle.

Founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 2004 and mostly volunteer-run by Nalandabodhi, Nalanda West offers programs and events inspired by the Five Fields of Knowledge originally taught at Nalanda University, India. Programs and presenters come from various wisdom traditions which equally speak to our shared aspiration for global awakening, the wish to live a meaningful life and building kinder communities in today’s world.

Brief history of Nalanda West

Nalanda West has been host to numerous auspicious teachings by lineage masters such as Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, who helped select and inaugurate Nalanda West. It is the headquarters of Nalandabodhi International and is the seat in the Americas for Nalandabodhi’s primary teacher, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. 

A lot of Seattle history occurred within the halls of Nalanda West. Beginning as a church that hosted revival meetings, even housing small businesses for some time, the building was a Korean church when Nalandabodhi purchased it in 2004. While things changed inside, the structure remained a unique fixture in the ever-changing local Fremont neighborhood.

Nalanda West has been a beacon for those seeking refuge in times of crisis and has not discriminated against belief or purpose. Nalandabodhi International hosts its annual Sangha Retreat and Tara Drupchen at Nalanda West. Mindfulness activities, yoga classes, retreats, contemplative events, concerts, and art installations have all found a place within its walls.

Campaign: Mortgage Payoff

We’d like to invite you to join us in a milestone event for Nalandabodhi. On March 18th—a full moon day and the anniversary of the 10th Karmapa’s parinirvana—we will pay off the mortgage that we have held on our beloved Nalanda West. This has been the result of many years of contributions and effort by many, many sangha members, friends, and supporters.

If you would like to be a part of this significant event in our history, we encourage you to make a donation of any size, of any amount you choose. Our aim is to create the opportunity to have as many sangha members as possible contribute to this historic achievement. Please come join us in making this a reality.

There is $130,000 remaining on our mortgage. With generous donations from practitioners like you, Nalandabodhi is able to pay this off on March 18, the anniversary of the 10th Karmapa and a full moon. We invite all those who would like to share in this merit to make an offering of any amount.

Together, let’s take this historical step of transplanting the genuine dharma to the West and building sustainability into our community.   

Thank you for your support!