About Us - Karma Thegsum Tashi Gomang

Karmapa Visits in 1980

His Holiness the 16th Karmapa came to the Baca Grande in 1980 and was reminded of his Tibetan homeland, with its high mountain peaks and vast empty plain. He had a vision and saw that this could be a place where the Tibetan buddhist way of life and meditation practice could be preserved and passed on to future generations.

Medical Institute, Monastery, Retreat Center

Karmapa foresaw the creation of a Tibetan medical institute, a monastery, a retreat center, and an entire lay community. At that time, he selected a site that would fulfill his vision and was given two hundred acres by his hosts, Hanne and Maurice Strong.

Western Students Gather

After His Holiness passed away in 1981, a small group of western students assembled to begin to carry out his vision. They bought a house to serve as a practice and residential center and a road was built to the land.

Request to Build the Stupa 1989

In 1989, His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul, one of the Karmapa’s regents, visited and later asked the group to build the forty-two-foot high Tashi Gomang Stupa to consecrate the land. It was constructed over a seven year period under the wise and loving direction of HE Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the directors of KTTG, Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.

HE Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

Stupa Consecration 1996

The Tashi Gomang Stupa was consecrated on July 6, 1996 in a ceremony performed by Bokar Rinpoche, Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and other Tibetan lamas. The stupa represents the 84,000 paths taught by the Buddha to realize enlightenment. “Tashi Gomang” means “Many Auspicious Gateways.”

Retreat Cabins and More Property

KTTG has hosted many eminent Buddhist teachers, who have in turn given their blessings and support to the stupa. Four retreat cabins are located near the stupa and are well loved.

In 1998, Karmapa received a further 63.5 acres, including a small house and the Ziggurat in the valley below the stupa. His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa named the house “Dheden Jong — Valley of Happiness”.

Current Director

Kimberly Gossen, Director of KTTG, was introduced to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in the 90s in Oregon, becoming active with a local sangha in Corvallis, and also with Kagyu Changchub Choling (KCC) in Portland, which was established by Kalu Rinpoche. Her main teacher within the Karma Kagyu school was Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, whom she first met in Colorado in 2007. She moved to Crestone in 2021 after many years of visiting for retreats and enjoying the magnificence of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Kimberly has served on the Executive Committee of KTTG since 2022, assuming the Director functions as of June 2025.

Executive Committee

Led by the Director, EC members are responsible for the maintenance, enhancement design, daily upkeep and administration of KTTG properties. Members include: Njal Schold, Jim Campbell, Steve Winn, Ann Dancer, Rob List, Shelley Warren Hagan, Scott Walkowski and Barbara Falconer.