News
Passing of Lama Michael Conklin
May 7, 2026
On behalf of Lama Michael’s family: his wife, Tara Sullivan, Elizabeth, and Seamus; Kagyu Changchub Chuling; and Dekeling, we would like to let you know that Lama Michael died peacefully in the early hours of the beautiful spring morning of Thursday, April 30th, at his residence in Washington. To all who have held him in prayer and practice in his life and in the last few days, thank you.
Financial Sustainability for KCC
March 15, 2026
As part of KCC’s ongoing work to sustain our community for the long term, the Board and Staff did a deep dive into our financial health in 2025. This effort supports one of the goals in our Strategic Plan—to create a holistic financial model that sustains our staff and preserves our facilities for future dharma practitioners. The takeaway is simple: KCC is financially strong today, but to support our staff and maintain our physical infrastructure, we need adjust both expenses and revenue.
KCC Welcomes Judatha Kline to the Board of Directors
February 23, 2026
KCC joyfully welcomes Judatha as our newest board member. We are grateful for the wisdom, care, and steady support she has long offered our community, and look forward to her continued contributions to the flourishing of the center.
New Year’s and the Same Damn Thing
January 7, 2026
“What do you offer up at the new year after 40 years of practice?” I asked Bill Spangle, who was leaning against the wall on KCC’s back porch in the New Year’s Eve sunshine, while Lama Eric built the fire to burn our old habits. “The same damn thing.”
On New Year’s Day, we lit candles of dharmic aspirations for 2026 and beyond. Then in the late morning of the first day of the new year, sixteen people took refuge and entered the Buddhist path.
Wrapping up 2025
January 1, 2026
Thank you for your steadfast support of KCC and the Dharma throughout 2025. Our hope is that KCC continues to offer refuge to anyone who comes through the doors or joins online—a sanctuary where you can deepen your self-understanding and clarify how you wish to show up in the world.
Welcome to our December Climate Corner!
December 3, 2025
In this season of gift-giving, why not give gifts in honor of your loved ones that support a healthy environment for all?
Kindness You Can Wear
November 14, 2025
Looking to stay warm this winter? Discover cozy Nordic-inspired woolens in the bookstore—handmade in Norway and offered with love to support Karmaoke fundraising.
Welcome to our November Climate Corner!
November 6, 2025
As the winter holidays near, we are especially mindful that consuming less is a good way to reduce burning fossil fuels in the making, transporting, and eventually disposing of the things we buy.
Wrapping up the 2025 Leadership Retreat
October 22, 2025
About twenty of us gathered October 17 at SCOL for KCC’s annual leadership retreat. We focused on our ongoing effort to implement the goals in the KCC Strategic Plan 2024-2029 that was adopted with extensive community input.
The Elephant in the Shrine Room…
September 3, 2025
It’s clear from recent conversations that there’s energy around engaging on current events together. It’s been said that there’s an ‘elephant in the room that nobody talks about’—something significant we’ve yet to fully name or explore together.
