White Lotus School
པདྨ་དཀར་པོ་ཆོས་གྲྭ།

White Lotus School was established by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche in the late 1990s and provides an environment for students to learn and practice in a pure and simple way. White Lotus School (WLS) has operated continuously since its formation with a small group handpicked students. The school is run by former WLS students who trained directly under Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who offer their time and energy to continue the school. In keeping with Rinpoche’s advice that one is never too young to learn Dharma, even the youngest students are required to follow a schedule strictly focused on Dharma activities including extensive daily ritual practices of the Dudjom Tersar Lineage, basic Tibetan reading and writing/typing, studying the Dudjom Tersar preliminary practices (Ngöndro), make water offerings, play ritual instruments, perform Dharma dance offerings, and accumulate merit through circumambulation, cleaning, and gardening. In addition to Dharma subjects, students are taught an elementary level of Mandarin Chinese, and the school also provides students with the basics of a standard Western education (math, reading, writing, social studies, science).

Over the years we have been graced with the presence of several visiting teachers including Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa, Khenpo Sonam Topgyal Rinpoche, Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche Pema Tenzing, who have all graciously spent several weeks at White Lotus School personally giving teachings and advice to our school students and local disciples.

WLS Summer School

Since 2018, after numerous requests from parents in NYC and Toronto who are faithful Buddhist practitioners in general, and devoted followers of the Nyingma Vajrayana in particular, we started an intensive summer program primarily designed for students ages 10–15 who have familial backgrounds in Dharma to gain a stronger understanding of the basic precepts of Tibetan Buddhism.

Schedule and Activities

Every day begins with daily practice. After daily practice, from Sunday to Thursday students have a full day of class, while Fridays are dedicated to cleaning and gardening. Saturdays after daily practice are class–free days, allowing students to rest, read, play games, go swimming, watch movies, or occasionally enjoy outings to town.

Registration for the summer program is open annually from March 1st onwards and conducted through email. Decisions regarding acceptance will be made by April 15th. We accept about 10–15 students to join each summer. The program runs for six to eight weeks, from approximately July 1st – August 31st. However, we re-evaluate every year depending on available staff levels and other major events at Kunzang Gatshal which may impact our summer program. Previously enrolled WLS Summer Students, and waitlisted students from previous years are offered priority for registration. There are a limited number of spaces available, so please register early!

2026 Summer Program Dates

July 11th, 2026 – September 6th, 2026

Core Six Week Summer School Program: July 11th – Aug 22nd

Additional Program & Retreat Activities: Aug 22nd – Sept 6th

Detailed Dates

Students Arrive (ages 10–15): Saturday, July 11th
Returning Senior Students (ages 16+) Arrive: Friday, August 21st

Guru Rinpoche Day: Saturday, August 22nd

Junior Students (ages <13) Depart: Sunday, August 23rd

All remaining students depart: Sunday, September 6th

Fee

The tuition rate for the summer program is $250 USD per week per child.

Registration