Tara Buddhist Center follows the Tibetan Gelug tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa, the same lineage as His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. The center was established to make the teachings of the Buddha accessible to those committed to practicing Buddhism within the tradition developed by Tibetan spiritual masters and scholars.
Founded on February 22, 2019 by Paloma Garcia (President), the center was created to bring the dharma to Nashville. What began as a heartfelt vision has grown into a warm, welcoming community where visitors come as guests and leave as spiritual friends.
Yangsi Rinpoche, Geshe Lharampa
Yangsi Rinpoche serves as the Spiritual Director of Tara Buddhist Center. Recognized at age six as the reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Gendun, he trained in the traditional Tibetan monastic system for over 25 years. In 1995, he graduated with the highest degree of Geshe Lharampa from Sera Je Monastery — a distinction reserved for those who have completed the most rigorous course of Buddhist philosophical study.
His deep scholarship and warm presence guide the center's programming and spiritual direction, offering the Nashville community an authentic connection to the living Gelug tradition.
At Tara Buddhist Center, the study of Buddhism is understood as a journey inward. Rather than focusing on external rituals or dogmas, the emphasis is placed on examining the nature of one's own mind. Through this introspective practice, individuals begin to see how their thoughts and emotions shape their experience of happiness and suffering. The teachings encourage a gentle curiosity about the inner landscape, helping practitioners recognize unhelpful patterns and cultivate healthier mental habits. This approach is open to everyone, regardless of background or prior experience. The center welcomes those who simply wish to understand themselves better, fostering an environment where personal growth and self-compassion can flourish naturally.
The center draws its inspiration from the Tibetan Gelug tradition, a lineage that values both rigorous study and heartfelt compassion. This tradition emphasizes the interconnection between wisdom and loving-kindness, teaching that true understanding of the mind naturally gives rise to warmth and care for others. Classes and gatherings are designed to be accessible, offering practical tools for integrating these ancient teachings into modern daily life. Members learn how to transform ordinary challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth, developing patience, empathy, and resilience along the way. The community supports each individual's unique path, recognizing that genuine transformation happens gradually through consistent, kind-hearted practice.
Community lies at the heart of the Tara Buddhist Center experience. Visitors are welcomed as guests and soon discover they have become spiritual friends, sharing a common aspiration to live with greater awareness and compassion. The center provides a space where people from all walks of life can come together to meditate, learn, and support one another on their journeys. This sense of belonging is cultivated through shared practice and open-hearted dialogue, creating bonds that extend beyond the meditation hall. In a world that often feels fragmented, the center offers a refuge of genuine connection, reminding everyone that the path to inner peace is best traveled together, with kindness as both the guide and the destination.
Tara Buddhist Center is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible and go directly toward utilities, maintenance, teacher offerings, teacher travel, and Dharma materials. The center depends on the generous support of its community to keep its doors open and continue sharing the dharma with all who seek it.