Heruka Center is a center of Buddhist study and meditation, as well as a spiritual community, in Fort Collins, serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming. We are a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, established locally in 1999 to benefit society through providing Buddhist methods for finding inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.
Everyone is welcome to drop into our weekly classes which introduce authentic Buddhist view and meditation, according to the New Kadampa Tradition of Buddhism. We also offer meditation retreats, group chanted prayers and meditation, in-depth study programs and other events that cater to people at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. (Click here for our calendar)
Heruka Center’s classes, retreats and programs present Buddha’s teachings in an authentic and accessible manner that can easily be integrated into busy modern life, based on the books of our Founder, the contemporary Buddhist master Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and the lineage of Kadampa Buddhist masters.
Our location at Harvard and McClelland is right in the middle of Fort Collins, one block west of College Ave just south of West Drake Road, and also easily accessible by public transit along the Max Bus Rapid Transit route. We have a large parking lot just off of McClelland Drive. (Click here for our contact info and Google map)
We are part of a worldwide network of Kadampa Buddhist centers in more than 40 countries.
The New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centers founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 1991 to offer the practical wisdom of Kadampa Buddhism to the people of our modern world.
Starting in 1999, Heruka Center was the first Kadampa Buddhist Center in Colorado, and has served as a spiritual “home” for many practitioners in Northern Colorado, Wyoming and the surrounding areas ever since. In 2005, our sister center, Kadampa Meditation Center Colorado, opened in Denver. Between our two centers, we are working to bring Buddha's inspiring wisdom to more and more people of the Rocky Mountain region.
The early days of Heruka Center at 825 Remington St., Fort Collins, with its first Resident Teacher Gen Losel
Former Resident Teacher Gen Rinzin teaching at Heruka Center when it was at 1700 S. College Ave.
Gen Rinzin and other members of our community renovating our current location at 149 W. Harvard St., Fort Collins, in 2016
“True happiness for human beings as for all sentient beings depends upon experience of the pure Dharma. This depends upon the development of Dharma centers.” ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Trina Gunther is the Resident Teacher at Heruka Kadampa Meditation Center. She has been a dedicated practitioner of modern Kadampa Buddhism since 2004. She has studied extensively with our General Spiritual Director, Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, and our Western US National Spiritual Director, Gen Kelsang Rigpa.
Trina is an inspiring example of a lay practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism, and brings with her a wealth of experience of integrating Buddha's teachings with busy daily life. She offers a practical perspective to spiritual practice to help anyone apply Buddha's profound insights and meditations to their busy working and family lives with clarity and joy.
Nick is an experienced practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism. Having met these teachings in 1993 in his native England, Nick has received many teachings directly from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. He is a regular volunteer at Heruka Center. Nick presents Buddha’s teachings and meditations with clarity and warmth and is appreciated for his sincerity and spiritual confidence.
Adrienne is an experienced and dedicated practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism, practicing in the Kadampa tradition since 2004. She studies on the Foundation Program at Heruka Center and dedicates many hours of volunteer service to the community as Heruka Center’s Administrative Director. Adrienne’s teachings are very clear and practical, and she presents Dharma and meditation with a warm-hearted manner that is very accessible to everyone.
Kelsang Evam is a Buddhist nun who has been a sincere practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism since 2013. She studies on Heruka Center’s in-depth study program, Foundation Program, and serves as the Education Program Coordinator. Evam is appreciated for her clarity and compassion, as well as her practical approach to meditation and Buddhist practice.
Tim began studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism in 2009. He is a student on the Foundation Program at Heruka Center, and dedicates many volunteer hours to helping Heruka Center offer Kadampa Buddhist classes and study programs in his role as the Tech Manager. Tim is a business owner in Fort Collins and shows the example of integrating Buddhism and meditation practice into a busy work and family life. His teachings are appreciated for being accessible, relaxed and friendly.
Sarah is a heartfelt and sincere practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism, practicing in the Kadampa tradition since 2018. She studies on the Foundation Program at Heruka Center and volunteers as the ritual coordinator. Previously she served as Heruka Center’s Administrative Director. She is known for her love of Dharma and her warm, straightforward manner.
Susan has been a sincere practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism since 2019. She studies on the Foundation Program at Heruka Center and generously dedicates many volunteer hours as Heruka Center’s treasurer. Through such dedicated volunteer activities, she shows the compassionate example of cherishing Buddha's teachings (Dharma) and ensuring that they will be available for many generations to come. She presents Buddha’s teachings with warmth and accessibility, and is appreciated for her enthusiasm for Dharma contemplation and study.
Malerie has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism since 2005. She has taught meditation and modern Buddhism in Florida and Denver prior to moving to Fort Collins. She volunteers as Heruka Center’s Bookstore Manager and studies on the Foundation Program. Malerie is known for her light-heartedness and approachability, and she presents Dharma with humor and love.
149 W Harvard St, Suite 102, Fort Collins, CO 80525
info@meditateinfortcollins.org
