CMS supports the awakening and liberation of individuals through study, reflection, compassion and by meditation retreats based on the principles set forth by all three cycles of the teachings of Buddha Dharma and by the study and practice of natural history and science at our forest retreat centre on Galiano Island, BC.

Read more about Crystal Mountain Society

Crystal Mountain Society (CMS) is a non-denominational charity founded more than 40 years ago and based in British Columbia, Canada. We support the development of a Western expression of Buddha Dharma and promote the development of the wholesome, clear, interested mind through study, meditation and compassionate work.

CMS offers programs to everyone and seeks to keep fees as low and flexible as possible. Generous donations allowed us to purchase our home on Galiano Island. The Retreat Centre and the Society are maintained and operated entirely by volunteers. Currently we are able to offer camping style retreats on the retreat land in the summer. We are in process to provide the capability of forest style silent retreat year round. Please see our current campaign and consider a donation of support. More information is available through our website's donations page. 

Programs are made possible through the generosity of our resident teacher, Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber) who has been studying, practicing and teaching Buddha Dharma for over forty years. For thirty years his main root teacher was the great Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche who taught all three cycles of the Buddha’s teachings, including Abhidhamma, Vipassana in the lineage of Mahāsi Sayādaw, generation and completion stage practices of the Tantrayana and Mahamudra/Dzogchen of many lineages, especially of the Karma Kagyu and Sakya. More recently under the guidance and request of Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche, Lamala has been teaching principally the richness of the Drikung Mahamudra and Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen traditions. As is traditional for Buddhist teachers Lama Mark does not charge a fee and is supported solely by the donations of his students. You may learn more about Lama Mark here. 

We strive for sustainability in many ways, starting with the health of the forested landscape and its importance to all life forms, through to nurturing support of beings’ body, mind, and spirit.