Vajra Vidya Retreat Center

In 1980, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa visited Crestone and recognized the area as especially auspicious for Dharma practice. With the support of Hanne Strong, whose family helped make land available for spiritual communities there, the aspiration took shape for a lasting Karma Kagyu presence. After the Karmapa's passing, his close disciple Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche carried the vision forward and established Vajra Vidya as a place for intensive practice, retreat, study and monastic life.

The center sits on 35 acres at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in the high San Luis Valley. It is a single building with two wings and a shrine room at its center, built in traditional Tibetan Buddhist architecture. Monastics and long-term resident practitioners live alongside visitors on private and group retreats.

The shrine room was consecrated and designed by Thrangu Rinpoche and seats 60 to 80 people. It holds statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, the 21 Taras and the Thousand Buddhas, with Marpa's sacred bone relic enshrined within the central Buddha. Residents may use it at all times, and visitors during daylight hours. Morning meditation is open to all, Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM.

Khenchen Lobzang Tenzin Rinpoche, trained under Thrangu Rinpoche, has served as Spiritual Director since 2013. That year he and Khenpo Jigme oversaw the center's inaugural Kagyu three-year retreat. Khenpo Jigme is President and a teacher, and Ani Lodro Palmo also teaches.

Guests stay in simple single rooms, with shared or private baths, or in queen rooms for couples. Three vegetarian meals a day are included. Everyone takes part in karma yoga, helping clean up after meals, which keeps rates low. The grounds are smoke, alcohol and drug free, and weekly Zoom sessions extend the practice online.