For three decades, GSTDL has maintained a consistent and rigorous teaching schedule, with Geshela focusing on the major works of Nagarjuna, Shantideva, Atisha, Je Tsong Khapa, and the Kadampa masters. Known for his great personal warmth, Geshela held a very traditional and uncompromising approach in teaching essential Lam Rim (Stages of the Path) and lo-jong (mind training) texts. Geshela also invited eminent masters His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the late Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, and the late Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, to confer major and minor empowerments of deities such as Yamantaka, Vajrayogini, Vajrasattva, and Cittamani Tara, and to grant commentaries.

As one of the earliest Tibetan Buddhist centers established in the West by a highly qualified resident teacher, GSTDL was privileged to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his very first visit to the United States in 1979. It was in a modest Los Angeles apartment (Korea town) and to an audience of a hundred that His Holiness granted commentary on Geshe Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses of Mind Training. Since then, GSTDL has been honored to invite His Holiness on six subsequent visits to the Los Angeles area (1984, Commentary on Lama Tsong Khapa's Three Principal Paths, and conferment of Avalokiteshvara Empowerment; 1989, Commentary on Thogme Zangpo's 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas, and conferment of Kalachakra Empowerment; 1996, Commentary on Arya Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland; 2000, Commentary on Atisha’s Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment; 2006, Commentary on Arya Nagarjuna’s Commentary on the Awakening Mind; 2011, conferment of Solitary Yamantaka Empowerment).

Furthermore, Geshela worked tirelessly for many years to sustain a close connection between his center and his beloved personal monastery, Gaden Shartse. Since 1989, GSTDL has helped to host and sponsor the Gaden Shartse monks’ U.S. tours, and Geshela himself traveled to south India numerous times to extend his support to his alma mater. It was natural then that Geshela expressed the wish to have Gaden Shartse provide spiritual and administrative guidance to the center after his passing. This transition has culminated in Thubten Dhargye Ling adding Gaden Shartse to its name. GSTDL is now under the spiritual directorship of the Abbot of Gaden Shartse, currently Geshe Jangchup Sangye.

In continuing with the traditions that Ven. Geshe Gyeltsen had established, GSTDL presently holds weekly teachings, meditation sessions, bimonthly Tsog commitments, monthly one-day Mahayana precepts, and occasional retreats and prayer services. GSTDL also observes major Buddhist and Tibetan holidays. Some teachings have been recorded, transcribed, and published into books available for free distribution. A bookstore supplies students with copies of root texts and commentaries while video archiving are underway to be established on this website. Live webcasts continue today through our Facebook page every Sunday. We invite you to visit the center, listen online, and benefit from the legacy of our precious gurus.