Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060320/NEWS01/603200321/1079

On March 20, 2006 the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported, "Jean Robinson sat in the lotus position on a low couch in the living room of her apartment, her hands on her knees. Her eyes closed, she concentrated on her breathing as she meditated. On occasion, she quietly chanted a mantra in Tibetan, rolling a mala, or set of beads, between her fingers. The process continued for about 20 minutes... Robinson is among a handful of Iowa City area residents who study Buddhism in some form. A rough estimate of about 60 people regularly attend teachings or meditations at the Jalandhara Buddhist Meditation Center in Iowa City, the Iowa City Zen Center or Tso Pema in Oxford... Juanita Strait, a member of Tso Pema, said the group averages 10 to 15 people who regularly meditate in her home, which serves as the center for the gatherings."