Welcome to the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Chapter
Center will be closed December 24 – January 2 except for those participating in the Holiday Practice. The Center will re-open to the public on December 29 for the Tsogh.
About the Chapter
Ann Arbor, Michigan is the international headquarters of Jewel Heart. 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.
In addition to what Jewel Heart International offers, the Ann Arbor Chapter provides weekly talks and meditations onsite. Throughout the year we hold local courses, host guest speakers, conduct workshops, and hold retreats 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 Tibetan Buddhist teachings of Demo Rinpoche, Jewel Heart’s Resident Spiritual Director and the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche, founder of Jewel Heart.
We offer many events and activities for the Ann Arbor community, including film nights, Loving Kindness Crafters, yoga, disc golf and hiking, potlucks, a community garden, game nights, open mic evenings and fun-raisers. We are also involved in outreach activities, providing classes in mindfulness meditation to prisons, senior centers and local hospice centers.
The Jewel Heart Store, located at Jewel Heart Ann Arbor, sells books, transcripts, Tibetan rugs, malas and more. Jewel Heart Ann Arbor also has a main assembly hall, multiple rooms for courses, kitchen and dining facilities, and green space with a pond.
A great place to start would be to come to a Sunday Talk or weekly meditation programs. You can also visit our homepage for a full list of international programs.
Sundays – All Welcome
WHITE TARA GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION
9:30am – 10:30 am
White Tara is a meditational practice particularly associated with healing and long life. These guided meditations use visualization techniques to overcome physical, mental, and emotional suffering.
DEMO RINPOCHE: ANCIENT WISDOM FOR MODERN TIMES
11:00am – 12:00pm
Join Demo Rinpoche for a variety of topics based on Buddhist wisdom that remains relevant for modern life.
REFRESHMENTS
12:00pm
DISCUSSION GROUP
12:15pm – 1:15pm
The discussion group is led by experienced facilitators based on the talk given by Demo Rinpoche.
Meditation Programs
TIBETAN BUDDHIST MEDITATION
Wednesdays, February 18 – March 11, 7:00-8:30pm
Onsite only
FREE: Donations Welcome. Registration required.
Meditation is an important tool, helping to develop focus, stability, insight and understanding. In this class, you will experience analytical and visualization meditations on various topics as well as commonly known concentration methods and ways to overcome obstacles that arise.
Facilitators: Geoff Lutz & Figen Lacin
Geoff Lutz has been a student and member of Jewel Heart for 35 years. Not only is he a long-time facilitator but he is also a long-time volunteer and is part of Jewel Heart’s audio-visual team.
Figen Lacin began studying Buddhism in 2010 when she met Gelek Rimpoche. She has a PhD, working as an engineer with a clean air focus and appreciates connecting with people.
THE HEALING PRACTICE OF WHITE TARA
Wednesdays, March 25 – April 15, 7:00-8:30pm
Onsite only
FREE. Donations Welcome. Registration required.
White Tara is the female Buddha of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, who embodies maternal love, wisdom and the power of long life. This course includes a detailed explanation of special visualization techniques for healing and self-healing to overcome physical, mental and emotional suffering.
Facilitators – Kathy Laritz & Aimee Adams
Kathy Laritz served as Gelek Rimpoche’s assistant for 18 years, and continues as Jewel Heart Program Director. She’s a Jewel Heart Instructor and has been a student at Jewel Heart since 1987.
Aimee Adams began studying with Gelek Rimpoche at Jewel Heart in 2006 and is a long-time facilitator. She is a doctor of acupuncture whose practice reflects a steady devotion to bringing the teachings into daily life through healing and compassionate engagement.
WEEKLY MEDITATION PRACTICE: CONCENTRATION, MINDFULNESS, ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION
Tuesdays, 6:00 – 6:45pm – Last session December 9. Resumes January 20, 2026.
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.
GOM: DAY OF MEDITATION
Saturdays, February 21, April 25, October 24
9:00am – 5:00pm
Join any time
FREE. All Welcome. Registration required.
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.
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
Join any time. Click here to register.
Other Programs
MONTHLY LAMA CHOPA AND TSOHS
6:00pm
Onsite only. All welcome.
10th LUNAR TSOH DATES: Monday, December 29; Thursday, February 26; Saturday, March 28; Sunday, April 26; Tuesday, May 26; Wednesday, June 24; Friday, July 24; Saturday, August 22; Monday, September 21; Wednesday, October 21; Thursday, November 19; Saturday, December 19
The tsoh offering is a profound and beautiful practice centered around the Lama Chöpa or Guru Puja, which richly illustrates and guides us through each stage of the path to enlightenment. It is one of the best practices for purification and generates great amounts of merit.
All tsoh preparations are bought and set up ahead of time by volunteers so we encourage a small monetary donation when attending.
To volunteer, please contact Brian at [email protected].
SANGHA CARES TRAINING
Saturday, Janurary 31, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Onsite only
FREE. Donations welcome. Registration required.
Sangha Cares is a newly established Ann Arbor service that formalizes a way to identify and care for our members in times of need. This service is supported with the assistance of other groups within Jewel Heart, such as Sangha Council, Chaplaincy, Dharma Coordinators, Facilitators and Volunteers. This training is for anyone who is interested in being a volunteer and expanding their practice.
Trainers: Susan Cooley, John Madison, Robin Olson
Training manuals will be provided on the day of training.
Special Events
HOLIDAY BAKE SALE
Sunday, December 21
Consider donating baked goods. All proceeds go to Jewel Heart.
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6
Please consider donating a dish. Include ingredients.
$12 Suggested Donation. All proceeds go to Jewel Heart.
Arbor Farms Market will donate 3% to Jewel Heart on your orders. When checking out, mention you’d like to benefit Organization #79 Jewel Heart. Arbor Farms Market – 2103 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. 734 996 8111. Visit arborfarms.com.
MONTHLY BIRTHDAYS
Join us the first Sunday of every month to celebrate Sangha members birthdays. We will enjoy cake and festivities together after the morning programs.
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
Sunday, January 18, 11:00am
Sunday Talk, Tsogh and Luncheon
On this day we share our gratitude to Demo Rinpoche for generously sharing the dharma teachings of the Buddha and for his many years of dedication to our community.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Sunday, April 19
Details TBD
Join us in this annual celebration recognizing Earth Day.
SAKADAWA DAY
Sunday, May 31
Details TBD
Sakadawa Day celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and paranirvana. Mahayana precepts are taken before sunrise and merit accumulated throughout the day is multiplied.
DALAI LAMA’S BIRTHDAY
Sunday, July 5, 11:00am
Sunday Taik and Picnic
This event celebrates His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.
WELCOME SUNDAY
September 13, 11:00am
Sunday Talk and Luncheon
Interested in learning more about Jewel Heart or Buddhist practices? Today is the perfect time to meet Demo Rinpcohe and other students. We are happy to help and answer any questions.
2026 HOLIDAY BAKE SALES
Pie Sale: November 22, 2026
Bake Sale: December 20, 2026
Consider donating baked goods. All proceeds go to Jewel Heart.
TSONGKHAPA DAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Thursday, December 3
Details TBD
A special group recitation of the Lama Chopa and migtsema mantras, lights and tsogh will be held to celebrate the life and activities of Jamgon Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism (lineage of the Dalai Lama). On this day merit is multiplied 100,000 times.
Community Activities
SANGHA COUNCIL MEETINGS
Jan 7, Feb 12, Mar 4, Apr 1, May 6, Jun 3, Jul 1, Aug 5, Sep 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2
Meetings onsite. All welcome. Find out what is happening and how you can help our community.
Questions, contact Wendy at [email protected]
CARING FOR THE CENTER
Wednesdays 10:00am-12:00pm
Dec 17, Jan 18, Feb 9, Mar 4
Cleaning the Center followed by potluck lunch.
OPEN MIC@JEWEL HEART
Second Sunday Monthly, 6:00pm. Sign-up 5:30pm. All Welcome!
Dec 14, Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, Sep 13, Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13
All welcome. Email [email protected]. Donations welcome.
LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, 48108
LOVING KINDNESS CRAFTERS
Third monthly Sundays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Dec 21, Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, May 17
FREE. All Welcome!
You have always wanted to learn how to knit or crochet. Here’s your chance to learn the basics of knitting and crocheting. All are welcome to join. Please bring your current project and tell us about it.
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 making felted beads for jewelry, using wool fiber, olive oil soap and water.
HATHA YOGA WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN
Weekly Thursdays, 9:15am – 10:15am
(No sessions Dec 25, Jan 1)
Drop-in $18 per session, Cash or Venmo at door. Seniors receive 10% discount. Discounted packages available.
All Welcome. Bring your own mat.
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
Weekly Fridays, 9:15 – 10:15am
(No sessions Dec 26 and Jan 2)
Drop-in $18 per session, Cash or Venmo at door. Seniors receive 10% discount. Discounted packages available.
All Welcome. Bring your own mat.
Come educate yourself on how, why and the importance of stretching!
FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION
Monthly Fridays, 7:00pm
Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8, Jun 12, Jul 10, Aug 14, Sep 11, Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19
Onsite only
FREE film and discussions. Concessions available. All Welcome!
January 9 – THE LAST DALAI LAMA – (2022). A contemporary fresh look at what is truly important for the 14th Dalai Lama: The ongoing confrontation between Tibetans and China; His Holiness’s influence in political and spiritual spheres; his work with educators and neuropsychologists; and his personal feelings on aging, dying and the question: Will there be a fifteenth Dalai Lama,
February 13 – THE DALAI LAMA: SCIENTIST –(2020). In “The Dalai Lama — Scientist”, the Dalai Lama tells the unknown story, in his own words, of his lifelong journey into the world of science and technology, and how the world has changed as a result. With extensive, rare, and never seen footage, this film tells the very human story of the Dalai Lama that no one knows.
March 13 – ON LIFE & ENLIGHTENMENT – (2006).Principles of Buddhism with his Holiness the Dalai Lama and renowned spiritual leaders. Mudra: life is a ritual – Mandala: Understanding your role in the Universe – Bardo: “The Cosmic Space Between” -a cycle of reincarnation.
April 10 – ON LIFE & ENLIGHTENMENT – (2006).Principles of Buddhism with his Holiness the Dalai Lama and renowned spiritual leaders. Lha: The spirit or Soul of Life – Menlha: The Medicine Buddha; Intimate secrets of Healing from Tibetan Medicine with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF
Sunday Afternoons Monthly, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Resumes April 2026
FREE. New and experienced players welcome!
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]
HAPPY HIKERS – 3rd Saturday Monthly at various Ann Arbor parks, 1:30 – 2:30pm. All Welcome!
Monthly 3rd Saturdays, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Hiking resumes in April, 2026: Apr 18, May 16, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 15, Sep 19, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11
FREE. All Welcome!
Questions? Contact Robin Olson at [email protected].
SANGHA GAME NIGHT to be scheduled
Jewel Heart Cafe
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.
FOOD DRIVE
Please consider donating to our annual Food Gatherers drive to help our local community during the winter months. We will be collecting until the end of the year.
Below is a list of needed items. You can place the donations in the bin in the hallway across from the bathrooms. They cannot accept opened containers and expired products. Please avoid items with glass packaging. All types of non-perishable food donations are appreciated but most requests are for:
- Hearty soups (beef stew, chili, etc.)
- Canned vegetables
- Packaged pasta & rice
- Whole grain cereal & oatmeal
- Baking & cookies supplies (flour, sugar, oil, etc.)
- Nut butters or jelly
- Kid-friendly snacks (granola bars, goldfish, etc.)
- Baby food & formula
- Ensure & other nutritional supplement drinks
- Canned meats (tuna fish, chicken, etc.)
Personal Care Items: - Soap & shampoo
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Baby items (diapers, wipes, etc.)
- Disposable razors