Kagyu Samdrup Chodzong began in February 2000.  It is a Kagyu group under the direction of Lama Norhla, who lives in Charlottesville.  The group has about nine core members, with a wider circle of friends and associates who attend teachings when Lama Norhla comes to visit.  The make-up of the group is entirely European-American, with a slightly larger number of women (including the president), and an age range of mid-30s to mid-60s.

The group meets on Sundays at 5:30 p.m.  They gather at the Eastgate Acupuncture Center in downtown Greensboro, where one of the members works.  The members arrange cushions on the waiting room floor in a circle, set up a framed thangka of Chenrezig, and prepare to practice.  Gatherings typically attract four to eight participants. Sessions begin with refuge chants, followed by about five minutes of silent meditation on the breath.  The core practice is the Chenrezig sadhana, which is chanted in Tibetan and includes visualization of Chenrezig and the practice of tonglen, wherein the meditator visualizes taking on all the sufferings of other beings and sending out peace and happiness.  Members chant along to a tape, imitating the recorded rhythms and cadences.  The sessions conclude with a brief prayer for the long life of their spiritual leader.  Meetings typically last about forty-five minutes.

JW