Gabe (director@guhyasamaja.org) began studying Buddhism in 2001 and has been with The Guhyasamaja Center since 2005 when he first took refuge vows from Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Throughout the years he has been involved in most center activities, from volunteering to leading efforts to spread the Dharma in the area. Before becoming Director, Gabe served as Assistant Director, a center Board Member, Webmaster, and class facilitator and plans to become an FPMT teacher in the future.

Jan first met Dharma while living her life in the most ordinary way. A fan of His Holiness, she read his books diligently. When she moved to the DVM in 2001 she became a high school history teacher. In 2011 she had the merit to be able to go and see His Holiness at the University of Virginia give a talk on the importance of mindfulness in education. It didn't matter that it wasn't a direct teaching from the scriptures, what mattered was the waves of loving-kindness that radiated from him. After the encounter she held a conviction that Buddha's teachings were true. Finally she came to the Guhyasamaja Center as it started reopening after the Pandemic. Opportunities opened up and she had the good sense to say YES!!! 

spc@guhyasamaja.org

Azlee (management@guhyasamaja.org) helps maintain the center's financial records and coordinates Management Committee activities such as planning and executing projects, generating ideas to improve the center, and more. She's also a Project Manager/Accounting Supervisor for a local painting and wallcovering business where she's worked for the past 13 years.
In addition, Azlee does volunteer work in the community where she lives and is the Vice President on the Board of Directors for her local property association. She found the center in late 2011 after reading an article written by Lorne Ladner, center Director. She started attending classes in January 2012.

Linda (membership@guhyasamaja.org) has enjoyed welcoming new members to the Guhyasamaja community. For information on how you can support the center by becoming a member, member benefits, etc., please contact her at the E-mail address above. Linda became aware of the learning opportunities at The Guhyasamaja Center when Dr. Lorne Ladner, Ph.D., taught classes related to "The Kalachakra for World Peace" program led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011. She has appreciated the many teachings received at the Guhyasmaja Center. Linda began studying the dharma with Shambhala in 2000, attending programs and retreats. Since 2003, Linda has participated in Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche's annual retreats at Mindrolling Lotus Garden.

Greg (librarian@guhyasamaja.org) maintains the Member's Library located in our meditation hall in Fairfax, VA. The Members' Library consists of 3 sections: books, practice materials, and multimedia materials. New items are constantly being added due to generous donations.

Venerable Lobsang Tendrol, a Chinese American nun, studied Buddhism with Dr. Jan Willis at Wesleyan University in the 1980s. She immersed herself in teachings given by the late Geshe Lhundup Sopa at Deer Park in Madison, WI. In 2004, she completed FPMT's two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought program. In 2008, she had the good fortune to receive novice ordination vows from Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa. With Rinpoche's encouragement, she studied the five great texts through the FPMT Masters Program (2008 - 2017).

Ven. Tendrol taught at the Guhyasamaja Center in northern Virginia from 2006 to 2018. Since 2016, Ven. Tendrol has offered classes at DNKL and has helped with pujas and special events. In her free time, Ven. Tendrol enjoys learning Tibetan, caring for shelter dogs, and gardening.

We have a lovely store at our center in Fairfax, just inside the front door. It occupies two shelf units as well as much of the wall space nearby. Most of the pictures, hanging purses, banners, thangkas, and statues are for sale. Just look for a price tag.
The store features books (new, used and free), altar cloths, door hangings, ritual items, jewelry, khatas (prayer scarves), book covers, pashmina scarves, organic cotton scarves, bags, purses, and more.

Mike (facilities@guhyasamaja.org) helps with light maintenance of the center's physical property (plus, "Anything Jodi tells me I have to do!"). He worked for many years in the newspaper industry primarily operating and maintaining production equipment. After leaving the newspaper field, Mike worked as an A&P mechanic for small aircraft.
Mike first found out about Buddhism in a World Religions class in college. Years later when wife Jodi and he first got together, she provided him with some introductory books to read. He said, "The more I read the more interested I became." The next step was to find a center for formal teachings. In 2009, an internet search led he and Jodi to The Guhyasamaja Center. Mike said his life has been greatly enriched by the center's wonderful teachers and members ever since.

Jodi found Buddhism in the early 1990's and credits the teachings for turning her life around. More compassion for others, more happiness, more joy! Just as the Buddha promises. As for the website, learning on the job. Jodi can be reached at webmaster@guhyasamaja.org.