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Ann Arbor

Welcome to the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Chapter Webpage!

HIGHLIGHTS FOR ANN ARBOR PROGRAMS & SANGHA ACTIVITIES follow.  Please scroll further below for a full listing of both local Ann Arbor Dharma Programs and Sangha Activities. All are welcome!
JEWEL HEART PROGRAMS – Local and National offerings at Ann Arbor. Address: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. 734 994 3387

ANCIENT WISDOM. MODERN TIMES. WITH DEMO RINPOCHE – Sundays Weekly 11:00am – 12:00pm. Free, Onsite/Online. Newcomers welcome! Optional facilitated discussion follows the talk. No session October 12 due to the Fall Seminar. An earlier recording will be posted October 12 on the Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. for your convenience.

WHITE TARA GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION – Sundays Weekly, 9:30 – 10:30am, Free, Online/Onsite. Newcomers welcome! White Tara is particularly associated with healing and long life. No White Tara guided meditation session on October 12 (Fall Seminar), December 28 (Holiday Intensive). 

FOUR MINDFULNESS MEDITATION with JADAL TULKU LOBSANG SHERAB – Tuesdays, 6:00 – 6:45pm Weekly. Free, Onsite only. All are welcome.

LAMA CHOPA AND TSOH led by JADAL TULKU
Once monthly on the 10th Lunar Day, 6:00pm Onsite only  – All Welcome  
Dates:Thursday, October 2 (in Joyful Paradise Room), Friday, October 31, Sunday, November 30, Monday, December 29
To volunteer contact Brian at [email protected]. 

TORMA MAKING CLASS with JADAL TULKU – Sunday afternoons, Thursday evenings Onsite only – All Welcome  
Dates/Times: Sundays, September 14, 4 – 5:00pm, October 5, 3:00 – 4:00pm, October 19, 3:30 – 4:30pm, October 26, 3:00 – 4:00pm and Thursdays, September 18, 25, October 16, 23, 30 6:00 – 7:00pm
GOM: DAY OF MEDITATION Click here to register. Onsite only – Newcomers welcome!
JEWEL HEART ANN ARBOR ONSITE/LOCAL SANGHA ACTIVITIES – All are Welcome to join in the following activities!

FILM & DISCUSSION – FREE – Second Friday Monthly, 7:00pm – September 12 – “The Best Bad Thing.” 1997. This is the story of a twelve-year-old named “Rinko Tsujimura” who is sent from her parents’ California home for a character-building stay on her aunt’s rural farm. Concessions available. All welcome.

September 14 Fundraiser – A Pickling/Fermentation Seminar, September 14, 1:30 – 4:00pm. Learn the process of vegetable fermentation using Lactobacilius fermenters. Everyone can take home their fermenters in jars & see the magic happen within a week!  Space is limited. Please register at [email protected]. Suggested donation: $10- $20 (day of – at the door) All Welcome.

Lovingkindness Crafters meets monthly and resumes on Sunday, October 19, 1:30 – 3:30pm. Details further below.

OPEN MIC resumes Sunday, September 14 at 6:00pm. All Welcome!

SAM LIEBERMAN CLASSES – HATHA YOGA AND  STRETCH CLASS – Onsite Only

  • HATHA YOGA – Thursdays  Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am
  • STRETCH CLASS – Fridays, Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am 

CARING FOR THE CENTER – Next date: Wednesday, October 1
10:00am-12:00pm. Cleaning followed by potluck lunch.

DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF – Sundays Monthly, 2:00pm
Next Date: October 5 last date in 2025. Resumes in Spring 2026.
FREE. New & experienced players welcome! Location: Rolling Hills Water Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd, Ypsilanti Township, MI 48197

HAPPY HIKERS –  – FREE – Third Saturday Monthly at various local parks, 1:30pm – No Hike in September. Next Date –  October 18. Location: Marshall Nature Area – Freeman Red and Yellow Loop

ANN ARBOR SANGHA COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETINGS –  Onsite only. First Wednesdays monthly, 5:45pm with occasional exceptions. All welcome. Next Sangha Council meeting is October 1. Upcoming dates: November 5, December 3. Questions contact Wendy at [email protected]

For local Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Programs and Sangha Activities questions – write [email protected] or call 734 994 3387.

Covid Guidelines

Jewel Heart was founded in Ann Arbor in 1988. We were privileged to receive the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche’s teachings on a regular basis, and the privilege continues with Jewel Heart’s Spiritual Director, Demo Rinpoche. Jewel Heart also hosts many other preeminent teachers and scholars in Tibetan Buddhism.

Read More about the Ann Arbor Chapter…

In 2008, we were honored when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama accepted Jewel Heart’s invitation to teach in Ann Arbor and inaugurated our spacious new location at 1129 Oak Valley Drive.

Throughout the year, we offer retreats, courses, guest speakers, workshops, and talks geared to help individuals bring peace, joy, and understanding into their lives and the lives of others. Jewel Heart offerings are based on the authentic and accessible teachings of Demo Rinpoche, Jewel Heart’s Resident Spiritual Advisor and the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche, founder of Jewel Heart.

When fully open for onsite participation, we hold film nights, a book group, a knitting group, tai chi classes, and community events, such as potlucks, a community garden, and fun-raisers. We are also involved in outreach activities, providing classes in mindfulness meditation to prisoners and living will workshops offered by Jewel Heart Health Center and Community Hospice.

The Jewel Heart Store, located at Jewel Heart Ann Arbor, sells books, transcripts, Tibetan rugs, and dharma objects. Jewel Heart Ann Arbor also has a main assembly hall, multiple rooms for courses, kitchen and dining facilities, and green space with a pond.

If you have questions about local programming, please email [email protected]or call 734 994 3387.

Arbor Farms

SHOP AT ARBOR FARMS MARKET AND JEWEL HEART RECEIVES A 3% DONATION ON YOUR ORDER. IT’S SIMPLE … When Checking out, mention you’d like to benefit Organization #79 Jewel Heart. It’s Good for you…. with Local and Organic Produce and more. Arbor Farms Market – 2103 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. 734 996 8111. Visit arborfarms.com.

Don’t forget to do your grocery shopping at Arbor Farms and 3% will be donated to Jewel Heart.
 

 

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Facebook Chapter Link

Location and Events

View Location

View Calendar of Events

Archived Programs

Contact

Phone:
(734) 994-3387

Email:
[email protected]

Location and Events

View Location

View Calendar of Events

Archived Programs

Contact

Phone:
(734) 994-3387

Email:
[email protected]

Ann Arbor Programs Sept – December 2025

MEDITATE WITH MEDITATION MASTER JADAL TULKU LOBSANG SHERAP

TUESDAYS, 6:00 – 6:45pm Weekly
FREE. Onsite only. No registration required. All Welcome. Come as you are.
Held in the Joyful Paradise Room

Serving as a framework for cultivating insight and awareness, these weekly on-going meditations will focus on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena. A wonderful opportunity to learn and practice concentration meditation, analytical meditation, and more as a group.

Biography – Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap was recognized by the 100th Ganden Tripa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1999. He then studied at Drepung Loseling monastery through 2014. Next he attended Gelugpa University focusing on advanced studies on the five major treatises of Buddhist philosophical texts. He received the bachelor’s level Karam Degree and the master’s level Lopon degree, and then the Geshe Lharam degree in 2020. In 2021 Jadal Tulku also studied tantra at Gyume Tantric College in Hunsur, India, and the National Taiwan Normal University Mandarin Training Center in Taipai City, Taiwan.

GOM: DAY OF MEDITATION – Saturday, October 18, 9:00am – 5:00pm. FREE. All Welcome.

Meditation is an essential tool to help develop peace, joy, concentration and wisdom. GOM Days provide an opportunity to participate in silent group meditation sessions. Instructors will provide light guidance and will be available for assistance. Participants are welcome to come and go as suits their personal schedules throughout the day.

Come when you can. Click here to register.

SCHEDULE

9:00am-10:30am session, 10:30am-11:00am break/questions
11:00am-12:30pm session, 12:30pm-1:00pm break/questions
1:00am-2:3pm session, 2:30pm-3:00pm break/questions
3:00am-4:30pm session, 4:30pm-5:00pm break/questions

Participants are welcome to meditate through break if preferred.

MONTHLY LAMA CHOPA AND TSOHS – 6:00pm onsite only. All welcome.

10th LUNAR TSOH DATES: Tuesday, September 2*;  Thursday, October 2; Friday, October 31; Sunday, November 30; Monday, December 29  * Please note: Meet at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 2  to accommodate Jadal Tulku’s weekly Tuesday meditation session.

Jadal Tulku will lead the Lama Chopa and Tsoh sessions. To volunteer, please contact Brian at [email protected]. 

ANCIENT WISDOM. MODERN TIMES. WITH DEMO RINPOCHE 

Join Demo Rinpoche for weekly public talks on a variety of topics based on Buddhist wisdom that remains relevant for modern life. Followed by refreshments (onsite only) and optional facilitated group discussion, onsite and online. No live Sunday talk on October 12 due to the Fall Seminar. An earlier recording will be posted on the Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. webpage for individual viewing.

Sundays Weekly 11:00am – 12:00pm, FREE, Onsite and Online. All Welcome.

WHITE TARA GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION

Tara, mother goddess of Tibetan Buddhism, is known for her quick and compassionate activity. White Tara is particularly associated with healing and long life. These guided meditations use visualization techniques to overcome physical, mental, and emotional suffering.

Sundays Weekly, 9:30 – 10:30am, Online/Onsite. All Welcome –  No White Tara guided meditations session on October 12 (Fall Seminar), and December 28 (Holiday Intensive). 

Ann Arbor Sangha Activities Sept – December 2025

 

Join the October 5 Fall Brunch after Rinpoche’s Sunday Talk! 

 

 

 

LABOR DAY BRUNCH – Sunday, August 31 following the weekly Sunday Talk. All welcome!

WELCOME SUNDAY with a COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH
Sunday, September 7. All welcome!
12:00 – 1:30pm  FREE. BRING A FRIEND! Good conversation, delicious food and activities.  Following, join us for disc golf too at Mary Beth Doyle Park 2pm.  Details under Dharma Disc’ers section below.

ALSO – What have you been up to this summer?  Please share up to 3 summer photos with Peter via email at [email protected].  Include a short description. He is putting together a sangha summer photo compilation so we can all catch up and enjoy together.

LOVING KINDNESS CRAFTERS – Third Sunday Monthly, 1:30 – 3:30pm. All Welcome!

DATES: Note the September date exception with the September 14 special fundraiser below. Crafters return to the third Sunday schedule on October 19, November 16, December 21

September 14 Fundraiser – A Pickling/Fermentation Seminar, September 14, 1:30 – 4:00pm. All welcome! Learn the process of vegetable fermentation using Lactobacilius fermenters. Everyone can take home their fermeners in jars & see the magic happen within a week!  Space is limited. Please register at [email protected]. Suggested donation: $10- $20 (day of – at the door). 

Monthly Loving Kindness Crafters: Interested in knitting, sewing, quilting, baking or other crafts? All Welcome. No knowledge necessary, beginners and experts and all between are welcome. Materials and instructions will be provided.

The Loving Kindness Crafters have created slippers, hats for cancer patients, socks, polarfleece tie blankets for patients and for homeless children. A recent monthly project focused on makingfelted beads for jewelry, using wool fiber, olive oil soap and water. 

OPEN MIC@JEWEL HEART – Second Sunday Monthly, 6:00pm Sign-up  5:30pm. All Welcome!

DATES:  September 14, November 9, December 14. No October session due to Fall Seminar.

All welcome. Email [email protected].  Donations welcome.

LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, 48108

HATHA YOGA WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN – Thursdays Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am. All Welcome.  No session November 27, December 25, January 1
COST: Drop-in $18 per session, Cash or Venmo at door. Seniors receive 10% discount. Discounted packages available. Bring your own mats.

Sam Lieberman has been practicing yoga since 1988. She received teacher trainings in Yoga Fit and Yoga Medics. Yoga Medics is a medical model approach with emphasis on alignment and therapeutic needs.

STRETCH WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN – Fridays Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am – All Welcome. 

Come educate yourself on how, why and the importance of stretching! Bring your own mat. $18 per session/Venmo or cash the door. 10% senior discount. Packages available.

FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION – Fridays Monthly, 7:00pm. All Welcome!

Bring friends and enjoy a free film &  follow up group discussion onsite. Free concessions available.

LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor 48108

September 12 – THE BEST BAD THING  (1997) The story centers on the life of a 12 year old female character named Rinko Tsujimura, who is sent from her parents’ home in an unnamed city in  California, for a character building stay on an aunt’s rural farm.

October 3 – FLOW  (2024) A solitary cat, displaced by a great flood, finds refuge on a boat with various species and must navigate the challenges of adapting to a transformed world together. (Please note date adjustment)

November 14 –  ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (2006) The moving biblical tale of Ester follows a humble Jewish girl who saved her people from annihilation and  won the hear of the handsome Persian King Xerxes. A lush ode to one f the Old Testament’s most inspiring women.

December 12 – RESURRECTION (2016) – The story of a woman who survives a car accident that killed her husband. She discovers she has a power to heal other people, becomes an unwitting celebrity – the hope of those in desperate need of healing – and a lightning rod for religious beliefs and skeptics.

 HAPPY HIKERS – 3rd Saturday Monthly at various Ann Arbor parks, 1:30 – 2:30pm. All Welcome!

DATES/LOCATIONS:

No September hike.

October 18 –  Marshall Nature Area – Freeman Red and Yellow Loop, 3355 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

November 15 – Border to Border Trail, 1300 Lake Shore Drive

December 20 – Lillie Park, 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA

Questions? Contact Robin Olson at [email protected]. 

DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF – Sunday Afternoons Monthly, 2:00pm – 4:00pm – New and experienced players welcome!

DATES: Join Disc Golf at Jewel Heart on September 7.  October 5.  Sessions will resume in 2026.

LOCATIONS:

September 7 – Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA

October 5 –  Rolling Hills Water Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd, Ypsilanti Township, MI 48197

Instructions – Time of play is usually 1-3 hours, depending on number in group and how many holes we play. Typically 18 holes but you can also play 9 or however many you like.
Wear good hiking shoes with a good gripping sole as ground may be muddy. Discs will be available to use for the day. If you have your own discs (or plan to purchase a starter set), please bring your own. You might also want to bring a small bag or backpack to carry your discs.
Note: Play is weather permitting. Please check this webpage first.
Contact: [email protected]

SANGHA GAME NIGHT – To be determined 
LOCATION: Jewel Heart Cafe, 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor 48108
Everyone is invited to bring a favorite game or two, otherwise take their chances with what others bring. A few games anticipated are – Uno and variants, Codenames, Splendor, Pictionary, Monikers Late arrivals welcome.

In general, it is anticipated someone will join a group of 3-6 people and agree to a game for 30-60 minutes. One person will take the lead explaining the game and facilitating game play. Then a NEW game is selected by someone else for variety as people move in or out as desired.
People sharing their favorite games and learning new games is encouraged. Snacks will be provided.

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