(Photo: Devon Stansfield)

The Kadampa Meditation Center of Georgia (KMC-GA) opened its new in-town location by welcoming approximately 100 people for its Southern Dharma Celebration in September.

KMC-GA purchased its new home at 741 Edgewood Avenue NE in November 2015. After three grand openings were called off, the center finally received its certificate of occupancy just hours before the celebration’s start.

Resident teacher Gen Mondrub, an ordained Buddhist monk, called the opening “wonderful.”

“We had incredible attendance,” he said. “The celebration was at capacity, and the free public talk on Sunday drew about 150 people, most of whom had never been to a KMC-GA event.

“Compassion prompted the move, wishing to touch the lives of more people. Our previous location was hidden behind trees and hard to find.”

The new 5,000-square-foot center, renovated at a cost of $1 million, includes two meditation halls, a gift shop, a cafe, a kitchen and five apartments for sangha members. Mondrub said it is designed for meditation and will more easily induce peace of mind than the teaching locations of the past three years.

“In this day and age, with all the turmoil and political disagreements, this center provides a peaceful place,” said Cindy Parker, administrative director. “It’s a place of refuge for people to quiet their minds and discover what’s really important.”

With their new home, the Center plans many more teachings and meditations—“almost every night.” Weekend events will include healing meditations, relationship workshops and talks by speakers from all over the world.

For more information, see MeditationInGeorgia.org.