The Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia (CTBC) was founded in 1991 as a non-sectarian, non-profit organization, open to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

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The main goal of our Center is to cultivate compassion and loving-kindness, based on the philosophy and methods taught by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Venerable Losang Samten

"Love and compassion are

necessities, not luxuries.

Without them, humanity

cannot survive." 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

As the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center, Losang is an accomplished Tibetan scholar and former Buddhist monk.

In 1959, Losang and his family fled to Nepal, and then moved to Dharamsala, India.  In 1985, he earned a Master Degree from Namgyal Monastery in Buddhist Philosophy, Sutra, and Tantra.

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Losang also served as His Holiness' Personal Attendant, as well as the monastery's Ritual Dance Master.

In 1988, at the direction of His Holiness, Losang traveled to the U.S. to demonstrate the meditative art of sand mandalas for the first time in the West.  

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It was at a mandala offering in 1989 that a group of students requested that he stay in Philadelphia and teach the authentic dharma.  His Holiness accepted the request due to Losang's desire to teach when sincerely asked.

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More than 25 years later, Losang Samten continues to bring his warm and open hearted nature, deep understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, and fascinating personal experiences and practice to the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.

Compassion in Action

With sincere gratitude to all of our wonderful sangha volunteers that help keep the Center running.