Karma Sangha is the Nalandabodhi Board of Directors founded by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 2005. It is responsible for upholding and protecting the vision of Nalandabodhi as inspired by the instructions and teachings of Ponlop Rinpoche. As a board, Karma Sangha is responsible for safeguarding the financial and legal health of Nalandabodhi and for establishing policies and procedures that support consistency in implementation of Rinpoche's and Nalandabodhi's vision. Our mission is to protect the welfare of the Nalandabodhi membership and to support the Nalandabodhi Executive Council (NEC) and the Mitra Council (council of western dharma teachers appointed by Ponlop Rinpoche) in carrying out the many activities of transplanting the genuine dharma into American culture. Karma Sangha aspires to foster a joyful and healthy organization which joins the heart of dharma with excellence in business and leadership practices. In this way the Karma Sangha will fulfill the traditional role of a non-profit religious board within the unique context of a vajrayana Buddhist lineage. The Karma Sangha directors are dedicated to fully exploring this unique expression of "American Buddhism". In practical terms we are exploring the traditional functions of a non-profit board, and the roles and responsibilities of its directors, while simultaneously participating as members of the Mahayana/Vajrayana sangha. In developing our roles and responsibilities we rely on Rinpoche's instructions and ongoing collaboration with NEC, Mitra Council and DPR Office. In August of 2008 Rinpoche initiated a reorganization of Nalandabodhi's governing structures; this reorganization has energized robust collaboration between the Karma Sangha and each of the Nalandabodhi leadership structures. 2009 is a time of rich and challenging activity supporting the well being of the Nalandabodhi membership.
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars and meditation masters of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is known for his sharp intellect, humor, and the lucidity of his teaching style. Fluent in the English language and well-versed in Western culture and technology, Rinpoche is also an accomplished calligrapher, visual artist and poet. For more information about Rinpoche, see www.dpr.info.
Mark has been a student of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1993, having previously studied with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and The Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin since 1977. Mark has worked extensively with the administration of Nalandabodhi and currently serves as vice-chair of the Karma Sangha, the Nalandabodhi board of Directors. Mark is also a member of the Mitra Council. In his capacity as a teacher he enjoys exploring the meeting point of the paths of study and practice with the activities of daily life-the path of activity. Professionally, Mark works as a chaplain in a palliative care setting at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, Washington.
JEAN PETERS-DO, M.D. Second Vice Chair
A student of Ponlop Rinpoche since 1998, Jean has participated in the administration of numerous Nalandabodhi programs and projects. She attended Nitartha Institute five years and served on that board. Jean attended His Holiness Karmapa as his personal physician during his 2008 tour in America. Jean has practiced integrated family and complementary medicine in Texas in a variety of settings since 1997. She created Amaravati, LLC in 2007 to serve as the vehicle for her professional interests, including a pilot study for the objective measurement of pain. She and her husband Mr. Tu Do moved to Austin in 2009; they have been married since 1986 and have three grown children.
Anna-Brown has been practicing and studying Buddhism since 1992. She earned a Degree in Engaged Buddhism from Naropa University, and is currently studying Psychology at Antioch University in Seattle. She is passionate about exploring the integration of the wisdom and skill of the Buddha Dharma with the healing power of psychotherapy.
Andrew Clark is a member of Karma Sangha and has been a student of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche for 13 years. He first met Rinpoche at Gampo Abbey and now lives in Niwot, CO. Andrew was NB Boulder's first Director of Study with Jirka Hladis and also served a stint as Practice Director. Professionally, Andrew works in the financial sector where he "sports a pretentious job title". Personally, Andrew dotes on his family and, he states, "collects more air miles than he does merit." One of Andrew's favorite activities, after he has finished his evening practice, is smoking a cigar, drinking a martini, and thinking about math problems.
