Teachers - Kadampa Meditation Centre Victoria

TEACHERS

Gen Kelsang Zopa

RESIDENT TEACHER

A Canadian Buddhist monk, Gen Zopa has been presenting the profound and practical teachings of the Buddhist path for over 25 years. He teaches introductory classes, Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program in the Victoria region. Renowned for the clarity and depth of his teachings, his warmth and practicality bring to life the ancient art of meditation.

Gen Kelsang Zopa teaching a meditation class at Kadampa Meditation Centre Victoria.

BRANCH TEACHERS

Sachi Tamura

Sachi is a member of the Teacher Training Program and teaches weekly at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre on Thursdays and Esquimalt Neighbourhood House on Fridays.  Sachi also teaches the Foundation Program at KMC Victoria.  Sachi’s background includes experience in human services, community music, and death midwifery.

Janet Marriott

Janet Marriot

Janet teaches weekly meditation classes in Black Creek north of Courtenay.  She studies in the Teacher Training Program and has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism for over 18 years.  Janet enjoys sharing her practical experience of Buddha’s advice and meditation techniques.  Janet is also a member of the Black Creak volunteers fire rescue team.

Krista Schlosser

Krista is a member of the Teacher Training Program and teaches weekly classes on Mondays at the SHOAL Centre in Sidney.  Krista is well known for her kind and gentle delivery of Dharma teachings.

Jana McLaughlin

Jana is a member of the Foundation Program and teaches meditation classes in Sooke on Wednesdays.  In addition to being a writer and working in a public library, Jana gives technical support to the broadcasting of our livestreaming classes. 

Debbi Jones

Debbi Jones

Debbi is a member of the Teacher Training Program and teaches Friday mornings at Brentwood Bay.  Debbi has more than 20 years secondary school teaching experience and enjoys sharing the practical benefits of meditation in daily life.

TEACHERS at KMC VICTORIA

Kelsang Tsalden, Buddhist Nun in her wheelchair

Alice Loring

Alice is a founding member of our Centre and a student in Foundation Program.  She leads noon meditation on Thursdays and coordinates the Centre’s social media outreach.  Alice brings her creative energy, warmth, and years of meditation experience to her classes.

Kelsang Tsalden, Buddhist Nun in her wheelchair

Meagan Klaassen

Meagan is a member of our Teacher Training Program and leads noon meditation on Mondays.  She is the mother of two teenagers and a furniture designer having created the beautiful shrine cabinets at the Centre. Meagan teaches our outreach program to young people visiting the Centre. 

Grace Dawson

Grace is a member of our Teacher Training Program and regularly guides our noon meditations on Wednesdays.  Grace has given many hours of volunteer service to the Centre and is known for her enthusiasm for Dharma and for welcoming visitors with her warmth and smile.

Mariem Martinson

Mariem is a member of our Teacher Training Program and will be guiding Lamrim meditations with Heart Jewel Prayers on Tuesdays.  Mariem coordinates the Centre’s group meditation prayers and brings many years of meditation experience and practice to her classes.

Kelsang Tsalden, Buddhist Nun in her wheelchair

Kelsang Tsulma

Kelsang Tsulma is a member of the Teacher Training Program and will be guiding Lamrim meditations with Heart Jewel Prayers on Tuesdays.  She has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism for more than 20 years  and her practical and heartfelt teachings draw from a wealth of life experiences .

Olivera

Olivera Brkic

Olivera Brkic is a longterm member of our Centre and studies on our Teacher Training Program.  Olivera is known for her generous and outgoing spirit and deep appreciation of Dharma practice.

Julia Anderson

Julia has been been practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 15 years.  She is our current Administratve Director and a member of the Teacher Training Program.   Her consulting, leadership and counseling experience enhances the clarity and effectiveness of her teaching.

Nan Keller

Nan is a member of our Teacher Training Program and a founding member of our Centre.   She has been teaching and been active volunteer supporting our Kadampa community for many years.

Paul Veldhoen

Paul is a member of the Foundation Program and guides noon meditation on Tuesdays at the Centre. He is also the friendly face greating our students at General Program classes.

Leila Durzi

Leila Durzi is in the Foundation Program and leads noon meditation on Fridays. Shas been practicing Dharma for the past 14 years and loves the peace of mind her practice gives her. Leila works in the counseling and social work field and enjoys the opportunity to help people and spread compassion.

EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Alison Bowe

Alison has been a member of KMC Victoria from its inception and is our new Education Program Director.  She works as an instructor at Camosun College and a member of the Accessible Learning Team.  Alison brings many years of practice and experience to her teaching.