Kadampa Meditation Center

What Kadampa Meditation Center does

Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC (KMC DC) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit Buddhist meditation and education organization founded in September 1994 (originally as Vajrayogini Kadampa Buddhist Center) and headquartered at a 250-seat temple at 1200 Canal St. SW in Washington, DC. It operates as an affiliate of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), a global network of 1,200-1,400 centers in 40 countries founded on the teachings of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The center is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, including two resident teachers, an administrative director, an education program coordinator, and a registration coordinator/treasurer.

The center delivers a portfolio of in-person and online meditation services: weekly drop-in classes ($5-$15 per class), monthly workshops, half-day and multi-day retreats (e.g., $265 weekend retreat at Mar-Lu Ridge), and traditional Buddhist meditation prayers (pujas) offered free of charge. It operates three structured study programs—a General Program for casual attendees, a Foundation Program for systematic study of five Buddhist texts, and a Teacher Training Program for aspiring Dharma teachers—plus branch classes at five DMV-area locations (Logan Circle, Capitol Hill, Arlington, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk). Member-only online classes are delivered via Zoom.

Revenue is generated through seven membership tiers ($40-$225 per month), drop-in class fees, retreat/event fees, a bookstore selling books by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (with proceeds directed to the International Temples Project), tax-deductible donations, and a corporate/education outreach program offering 60-90 minute meditation sessions ('Clear Mind at Work', 'Meditation for Young People', school and community programs). It does not develop proprietary technology; all activities are dedicated to community education and the funding of the International Temples Project.

Name

Kadampa Meditation Center

Legal name

Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC

Website

https://meditation-dc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kadampa Meditation Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Buddhist meditation and education organization based in Washington, DC, serving DC metro and Virginia residents through weekly classes, multi-tier study programs, retreats, and outreach to schools and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Meditation and Buddhist Education Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB), Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA)

Keywords

• Meditation classes
• Buddhist education
• Mindfulness retreats
• Study programs
• Meditation workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly membership subscriptions at multiple tiers ($40-$225/month) that provide access to online classes, in-person classes, discounts on events, and eligibility for study programs. Membership is the primary recurring revenue stream.
2. Drop-in Class Fees: Per-class fees ranging from $5-$15 for individual classes including Sunday Morning Meditation, Wednesday Lunchtime Meditation, Thursday Evening classes, and others. Classes can be attended individually without membership.
3. Special Events and Retreats: Fees for workshops, retreats, and special events. Weekend retreats can cost $265 per person for accommodation and meals. Half-day silent retreats are $30. Some events are free with donation option.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from members and supporters. The center is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations support the International Temples Project and center operations.
5. Bookstore Sales: Sales of Buddhist books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, meditation supplies (mala beads), and gift items. Bookstore open following most General Program Classes and during weekend events. All profits go to the International Temples Project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC is a non-profit organization that delivers Buddhist meditation instruction, structured study programs, prayer ceremonies, retreats, and outreach programs rooted in the New Kadampa Tradition lineage of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Its core offerings consist of weekly drop-in meditation classes at $5–$15 per session, three tiered structured study programs (General Program, Foundation Program, Teacher Training Program), half-day and weekend meditation retreats, special events and workshops, traditional Buddhist prayers (pujas), online Zoom classes for members, and a bookstore selling Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's publications.

Product overview

Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC is a non-profit meditation center offering a portfolio of Buddhist education and meditation services. The core offerings include weekly drop-in meditation classes at various times, special events and workshops, and meditation retreats. The center provides three structured study programs: the General Program for drop-in attendees, the Foundation Program for systematic Buddhist study, and the Teacher Training Program for aspiring Dharma teachers. Additional offerings include meditation prayers (pujas), outreach programs for schools and businesses, online livestream classes via Zoom, and a bookstore selling Buddhist books by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The center operates multiple branch locations throughout the DMV region and participates in international festivals as part of the worldwide New Kadampa Tradition network of over 1,300 centers in 40 countries. Membership programs provide tiered access to classes and discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drop-in Meditation Classes Weekly recurring guided meditation and Buddhist teaching sessions available at various times throughout the week, including Sunday Morning, Monday Evening, Tuesday Rest & Reflect, Wednesday Lunchtime, Wednesday Evening, Thursday Unwind the Mind, and Thursday Evening classes. Open to individuals regardless of experience level.
• Special Events and Workshops One-time events including workshops, retreats, public talks, and social events that allow more time for in-depth examination of particular meditation practices or topics. Examples include Mala Making Workshop, Temple Cherishing days, Peace and Pancakes, Silent Saturday retreats, and A Quantum of Wisdom talks.
• Meditation Retreats Local half-day and weekend retreats providing extended meditation practice opportunities in a dedicated retreat setting. Weekend retreats are held at Mar-Lu Ridge Retreat Center in Jefferson, MD and include accommodation, vegetarian meals, and guided sessions.
• Foundation Program Systematic study program enabling practitioners to deepen knowledge and experience of Buddhism through study of five subjects: Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Training the Mind, The Heart Sutra, Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, and Types of Mind, based on commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. For committed Buddhist practitioners.
• Teacher Training Program Advanced structured study program for training as an authentic Kadampa Buddhist Dharma teacher, involving study of fourteen texts of Sutra and Tantra, meditation retreats, and behavioral commitments. Subscription at $80/month including all TTP classes, TTP retreats, and unlimited drop-in classes.
• Meditation Prayers (Pujas) Traditional Buddhist meditation prayers including Heart Jewel, Tara Puja, Wishfulfilling Jewel with Tsog, Offering to the Spiritual Guide with Tsog, and Powa Ceremony, free of charge for all participants.
• Outreach Programs Meditation and Buddhist teaching programs for schools, businesses, and groups, including Meditation, Clear Mind at Work, Meditation for Young People, and Buddhism introductory sessions. Delivered on-site as 60-90 minute sessions tailored to client needs.
• Online Classes Livestream classes and events via Zoom available exclusively to KMC DC members, including Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday classes, Friday Night Lectures, and most Saturday Workshops & Retreats. Participants are not visible or audible to others.
• Membership Program Monthly membership tiers (General $60, Friend $80, Supporter $95, Benefactor $115, Online $40, Online Plus $55, Benefactor Plus $225) providing access to classes, discounts on events, and online access.
• Bookstore Physical and online bookstore selling books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso including How to Transform Your Life, Modern Buddhism, and 23 inspirational titles on Buddhism and meditation, with proceeds supporting the International Temples Project.
• Regional and International Festivals Dharma celebrations including Mid-Atlantic Dharma Celebration, US National Festival, International Fall Festival, International Spring Festival, and International Summer Festival with empowerments and teachings from senior NKT teachers.
• Branch Classes Meditation classes at five branch locations in the DMV region including Washington DC (Logan Circle, Capitol Hill), Arlington (Northern Virginia), Richmond (Central Virginia), and Virginia Beach/Norfolk (Eastern Virginia).

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991NKT-IKBU is the international association of study and meditation centers following the pure tradition of Mahayana Buddhism derived from Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, introduced into the West by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The purpose is to increase Buddhist Faith throughout the world. KMC DC is part of this worldwide network of over 1,300 centers in 40 countries. The NKT-IKBU is an international nonprofit registered in England as a charitable company with no political affiliations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Calm: Mass-market meditation and wellness app with guided meditations, sleep stories, and masterclasses. Competes for the same secular meditation consumer with a vastly larger digital distribution footprint.
• Headspace: Large-scale secular meditation and mindfulness app offering guided meditation, sleep, and focus content via subscription. Competes for the same end-customer use case (stress reduction, daily practice) but via a digital, secular, app-based channel rather than in-person Buddhist instruction.

Direct peers

• Shambhala Mountain Center: Colorado-based Buddhist meditation and retreat center offering residential retreats, teachings, and programs. Comparable nonprofit Buddhist education and retreat model, though under a different lineage (Shambhala/Chogyam Trungpa).
• Dharma Drum Retreat Center: Chan/Zen Buddhist retreat center in New York state offering residential meditation retreats, daylong events, and online programs. Comparable Buddhist nonprofit with retreat-center model and structured programming.
• Spirit Rock Meditation Center: Well-known Insight Meditation center in Northern California offering residential retreats, daylong events, and online classes. Comparable Buddhist meditation nonprofit model with a retreat-center anchor and tiered program offerings.
• Insight Meditation Society: Established Vipassana Buddhist retreat center in Barre, MA offering residential retreats, teacher training, and online programming. Comparable nonprofit Buddhist education and meditation organization.
• SGI-USA (Soka Gakkai International): Large lay-Buddhist organization in the US offering meetings, study programs, and community activities in a different Buddhist tradition but with a comparable membership-based, volunteer-led, urban-center operating model.
• Kadampa Meditation Center New York: Sister Kadampa center in NYC under the same NKT-IKBU umbrella, offering the same General Program, Foundation Program, Teacher Training Program, drop-in classes, retreats, and tiered membership structure to an urban population. Directly comparable operating model.
• Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC: Local DC-area meditation center offering drop-in classes, retreats, and study programs in the Insight Meditation (Theravada/Vipassana) tradition. Direct competitor for the same general-public audience in the same geography.
• Kadampa Meditation Center Los Angeles: Another NKT-IKBU-affiliated Kadampa center offering the same curriculum, study programs, and membership model. Same lineage, same curriculum, same volunteer-driven community structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kmc_dc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRvpT2dbLasFvBNOUSdhOAg
• Facebookfacebook.com/KadampaDC
• Instagraminstagram.com/kmc_dc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kadampa Meditation Center