Advised by the Karmapa
In 2000, Lama Tashi Dondup sought the advice of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa on whether he should establish a Dharma centre in Toronto, the Karmapa supported the idea and bestowed the name Karma Tekchen Zabsal Ling (“KTZL”), which in Tibetan means “the skilful manifestation of profound and clear Tantric / Vajrayana aspect of the Mahayana Teaching”.
As well, in 2001, the very venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche also advised Lama Tashi on establishing a Buddhist Centre in Toronto.
Founding the Centre
In 2002, Lama Tashi founded KTZL while he and his students were able to purchase a small property in Richmond Hill, located north of Toronto in 2003. While the congregation felt the need to search for a bigger premise as the membership continued to grow, KTZL relocated to the present location in September 2006. In its short history, our Centre has invited and hosted teachings and empowerments by a number of prominent Buddhist teachers, including H.H. the Karmapa, H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, and family, V.V. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Khenpo Donyo Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, etc.
KTZL is also an active participant in the annual North American Kagyu Monlam, an aspiration prayer event dedicated to world peace.