Welcome to the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor chapter webpage! Scroll below for our many offerings.

Join Demo Rinpoche for Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. on Sundays, 11:00am – 12:00pm ET. Weekly onsite/online public talks on a variety of topics based on Buddhist wisdom that remains relevant for today’s modern life. Onsite/online facilitated group discussions follow the morning talk. All are welcome.

These sessions serve as a perfect entry for newcomers and as weekly inspiration for all; a wonderful introduction to Demo Rinpoche and the Jewel Heart community. Come as you are. For questions, write programs@jewelheart.org.

Click for the zoom registration link for online participation. Click for Jewel Heart’s In-Person Covid Guidelines.

Please Note: Weekly Sunday 9:30am ET White Tara Guided Meditation sessions are open to all and remain online only at this time.

Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Food Drive: Local sangha are hosting a food drive for Food Gatherers to fight against hunger right here where we live. When onsite, please see the poster on the Sangha Council bulletin board for needed items or the donation bin in the hallway next to the kitchen. We plan to donate around the holiday timeframe so don’t wait too long to donate!

Jewel Heart Course Onsite – Gateway to the Spiritual Path ~ Free – All Welcome

This 8-week course presents the basic elements essential to a genuine spiritual path, outlining helpful exercises to prepare a grounded foundation for our spiritual path.

DATES/TIMES: Mondays, October 17 – December 12, 7:00 – 8:30pm (No session October 31)

Facilitated by Jewel Heart Instructors, John Madison and Gloria Boyajian

To register or for questions, write annarbor@jewelheart.org

Click for Jewel Heart In-Person Covid Guidelines

Jewel Heart Readers – monthly, online only: For details, email programs@jewelheart.org.  Next session meets Monday, December 11, 7:00 – 8:30pm ET. A new reading selection will happen at this session.

Reading selection – A Buddhist’s Grief Observed by Professor Guy Newland.

Jewel Heart Course Onsite – The Four Noble Truths ~  All Welcome

This 8-week course introduces Buddha’s revolutionary message that suffering can come to an end through one’s own efforts. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript, The Four Noble Truths, participants rely on readings, discussion and meditations. With Jewel Heart Facilitators Joe Palms and Figen Lacin (bios below)

DATES/TIMES: Mondays, January 23 – March 20, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30pm.  (No session on February 20)

Cost: $60 Non-Members/ Free to Jewel Heart Members. Pay What You Can – No one turned away.

To register or for questions, write annarbor@jewelheart.org

Click for Jewel Heart In-Person Covid Guidelines

Click here to explore the many Jewel Heart Programs.

Click here for weekly free Virtual Programs.

Click here for the Jewel Heart Healing Meditations and Practices page.

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.

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 call 734-994-3387, extension 221 or email annarbor@jewelheart.org

Don’t forget to do your grocery shopping at Arbor Farms and 3% will be donated to Jewel Heart. And go to SmileAmazon.com and 0.5% will be donated to Jewel Heart.