Visitor’s Guide

Welcoming visitors is an important part of our mission at Hay River KTC, but we know it might be intimidating to visit a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center for the first time. We want you to feel welcome and at ease here.

Learning more about Our Mission and Who We Are is a good place to start.

Below is detailed information to help you plan your first visit. Our resident teacher, Lama Yeshe (LAW-maw YEH-shay) is available to answer any other questions you may have, 715-949-1407 or [email protected].

Where is Hay River KTC?

We are located in rural Dunn County, just outside the village of Ridgeland. Our address is N14085 County Road V V, Ridgeland, WI 54763,

Visit our Location & Directions page for detailed directions.

Is Hay River KTC open to the public?

Visitors are welcome to attend our Meditations & Teachings on Sunday mornings, led by Lama Yeshe. Please see our calendar for a list of upcoming topics.

• Most Sundays, meditation or chanting is from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a short break. Then from 11:10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. is a discussion or teaching.

• While in-person attendance is strongly encouraged, you can attend these programs virtually via Zoom. Please send an email to [email protected] to request the Zoom link.

When Lama Yeshe is unavailable, our Sunday programs are online only. Typically, a Hay River KTC member will lead meditation via Zoom. Then the group is invited to watch a prerecorded teaching by Lama Yeshe. Please double check our calendar or call ahead to confirm that the date you want to visit will be an in-person program.

We also regularly host workshops and visits from other teachers which the public is invited to.

Can I speak with Lama Yeshe privately?

Lama Yeshe is available for meditation instruction, personal consultation, and to answer questions about Tibetan Buddhism. He can be reached directly at 715-949-1407 or [email protected].

What does the “KTC” in Hay River KTC stand for?

KTC is the acronym for the Tibetan name for our group, “Karma Thegsum Choling” which roughly translates to a “place of dharma teaching.”

What should I wear to a Buddhist Meditation Center?

Please dress comfortably when visiting Hay River KTC. For those who are able, it is best to sit on meditation cushions. For that reason, short-shorts, short skirts, and tank tops are discouraged. (Note that we also have chairs for sitting, so feel free to use them during your visit if needed.)

You’ll be asked to remove your shoes. Bare feet are fine, but you can wear or bring socks if you wish.

What type of lodging and accommodations are near Hay River KTC?

Hay River KTC can host a limited number of overnight guests, depending on the event and the size of your party. Guests are also welcome to use our kitchen. Please contact Lama Yeshe in advance to discuss potential on-site lodging, 715-949-1407 or [email protected].

The closest hotels are in Barron (17 miles) and Menomonie (30 miles).