Everyone is welcome at KMC Fort Lauderdale!

In our weekly classes, courses and retreats our teachers provide the tools and confidence to establish a meditation practice that will grow and improve over time. The main purpose of meditation is to train the mind to improve our inner qualities, such as patience, love and kindness – while at the same time reducing thinking patterns that cause unhappiness, stress and anxiety.

Special Events December

Retreats, day-courses, community activities and so much more!

Holiday Parties: Sun, Dec 22  &  Sun, Dec 29!
Let’s enjoy the company of our community this holiday season!

After the meditation class (11 am – 12:30 pm) at 12:30 we will celebrate with a special brunch. These festive gatherings are a great way to catch up and enjoy some holiday cheer!

Drop-In Meditation Classes

Engaging and practical stand-alone classes for all levels of experience!

Sundays

11 am – 12:30 pm

1st Mondays

Hollywood
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Tuesdays

Port St. Lucie
6:30 – 7:45 pm
Wednesdays

Lunchtime
12 pm – 1 pm
2nd Wednesday

Delray Beach
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Thursdays

7 pm – 8:15 pm

Special Events January

Retreats, day-courses, community activities and so much more!

Jan 7:  You have a special opportunity to join our Tue. evening Foundation Program class!
Are you interested in a structured group study of Buddhism?

Our Tuesday evening class is studying Venerable Geshe-la’s book Meaningful to Behold, a commentary to Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva. If you’ve been attending our drop-in classes and want a more structured study of Buddhism – now is the time to check out the Foundation Program!  In the new year we’ll be studying concentration, equalizing and exchanging self with others, and wisdom realizing emptiness within the practices of the bodhisattva’s path. If you can attend every week (not a drop in program) join us on Tues, Jan 7 to learn more.  All Foundation Program details  >

January Retreat Month 2025

All the wonderful details →

➀ From Chaos to Calm
Morning Retreat on Buddhist Refuge
Sat, Jan 4:  10 am – 1 pm
register →

➁  Happiness from a Different Source
Guided Lamrim weekend retreat
Sat, Jan 11  &  Sun, Jan 12
register →

➂  Mahamudra Meditation: The Heart of Tantric Practice
Guided Highest Yoga Tantra Retreat
Sat, Jan 25  &  Sun, Jan 26
register →

KMC Fort Lauderdale Year End Appeal

You Help Spread Inner Peace!

Dear Friends,

As we near the end of 2024, we hope that you, your family, and all your loved ones are happy and healthy, and we wish you the very best for the coming year!

We’ve enjoyed a delightfully productive year filled with meditation classes, retreats, workshops, and other community events that helped us connect, learn and grow. Next year will mark the 6th anniversary of our current Center, and 20+ years in Fort Lauderdale! We all cherish this amazing center because it is a vital place where people can develop inner peace and happiness through meditation and modern Buddhist practice. Thus, we’re exceptionally grateful to all of our members, students, managers, and volunteers – without you all, we would not exist.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your charitable gifts and activity fees are essential to ensuring that KMC Fort Lauderdale continues to flourish for all our community. Your tax-deductible donations – and especially your Year-end Giving – provide the support we need to complete necessary upgrades and meet our operating costs.

• We must keep pace with rising insurance premiums to keep our beautiful center up and running. (Currently, we’re falling short on average $ 1,500/mo.)
• We have roof repairs to complete that are estimated to cost $9,000.
• Your support – no matter the amount – helps us build a more secure financial foundation for the upcoming year.

As we enter the holiday season, we ask that you consider including us in your year-end giving plans. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your charitable contributions are crucial to our operations – and enable us to continue making a positive impact throughout the greater South Florida community! Remember that your gift, regardless of its size, helps spread inner peace to all.

With love and gratitude,

Gen Kelsang Jindak, Resident Teacher
Rocio Arana, Administrative Director
Carrie Ackerman, Educational Program Coordinator

How to Donate
Online:  Make a donation today →
Mail:  Send a check to “KMC Fort Lauderdale”
KMC Fort Lauderdale
4342 E Tradewinds Ave
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea FL 33308
In-person:  Donate at the front desk
by cash, check or credit card

Study Programs

Ready to take your understanding, wisdom and practice to the next level?

Foundation Program
Meaningful to Behold
Tuesdays

Teacher Training Program
Tantric Grounds & Paths
Sundays


Pujas (free)
Chanted meditations for deepening our practice.

Friday Night Prayers: 6pm – 7pm

Dec 13: Heart Jewel Prayers
Dec 20: Prayers for World Peace

Heart Jewel
The essence practice of Kadampa Buddhism

Powa Ceremony
Prayers for the deceased

Offering to the Spiritual Guide
The essence practice of Lamrim

Wishfulfilling Jewel
Purify negativity and accumulate merit

Tara Puja
Request blessings for all living beings

Medicine Buddha
Swifty purify negative actions

Meet the Buddhas

Kadampa Festivals

Join Kadampas from around the world for unforgettable spiritual retreats (in-person or online).

We offer an extensive program of day courses, meditation classes, study programs, and retreats where you can develop mindfulness and learn meditation techniques – at all levels of experience and interest. Following Buddha’s special advice, we can relax our minds, find deep and lasting inner peace, and become of greater benefit to others.

Everyone is welcome! We do not discriminate based on race, gender, background, age, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or otherwise. Everyone is always welcome at KMC Fort Lauderdale and Kadampa Centers around the world.

4342 E Tradewinds Ave 
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
FL 33308 (map)
(954) 372-7481
kmcfortl@gmail.com
Visiting Hours
Sun 11:30 am – 2 pm
Wed 11 am – 12 pm
Thu 6 pm – 7 pm
Sat 9:30 am – 2 pm  (on event dates)

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Founder | Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher. He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. Today, the legacy of his life’s work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.

Read about Venerable Geshe-la’s life →

KMC Fort Lauderdale  Resident Teacher

Gen Kelsang Jindak has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 25 years. Ordained as a Buddhist nun in 2003, she was given the name Kelsang Jindak, which means “Fortunate Benefactor”. She has many years of experience teaching and volunteering at Kadampa Centers around the U.S. Gen Jindak has a clear, joyful teaching style and presents Kadampa Buddhism practically, for both beginners and experienced meditators alike.

Meditation Teachers

Dawn Jackson  lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast and was previously active with KMC Long Island. With over 20 years of experience, she’s taught general program meditation classes, the Foundation Program, and classes for children and teens. Her encouraging, joyful style makes it easy to learn how to apply Buddha’s teachings to our daily lives so that everything we do becomes a meaningful practice.  Port St. Lucie class →

Star Sandow  has been practicing meditation and Kadampa Buddhism for over 25 years. She served for many years as the Resident Teacher at KMC Long Island and has taught in NYC, Boston, and the Kadampa Temple in Glen Spey. Star is appreciated for her gentle, kind, warm-hearted teaching style, and she helps students discover profound meaning and joy in their Dharma practice.

Frank DeLeo  has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2009, studies in our Foundation Program, and has attended many Kadampa festivals and retreats. He’s appreciated for giving practical teachings with real-life examples; and teaches with warmth and enthusiasm. Wed Lunchtime class →

Duane Butler  has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism for many years and studies in our Foundation Program. He is currently co-teaching our Sunday morning meditation classes. He’s very knowledgeable and passionate in his presentation of Dharma; and includes real-life, relatable examples in his teachings.

Rae Landers  has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2015, studies with our Teacher Training Program, and has attended many Kadampa festivals and retreats. She’s known for her gentle, and compassionate approach to teaching, helping students find peace and joy in their practice.

Jan Olson  has been studying Kadampa Buddhism since 2012. Currently, she studies with the Foundation Program at KMC Fort Lauderdale. Her joyful enthusiasm for her meditation practice is inspiring and encouraging to others.

Michele Souter  has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism with the Teacher Training Program for many years. She has an insightful sensitivity to the needs of people, and a kind, loving way of making others feel comfortable and cherished. As a teacher, she skillfully introduces meditation and basic Buddhist ideas and practices to newcomers.

Ianca Flores  has 20 years of experience as a sincere practitioner of Buddha’s teachings as presented by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Through applying Buddha’s wisdom, he’s received immense benefits and improved all aspects of his life – and he enjoys sharing his experience so that others may do the same. Ianca is also a proud father of two teenage boys and a native Floridian.

We’d love to hear from you!