Welcome to Karuna Buddhist Center's End-of-Year Fundraiser

Thank you for visiting! Whether you’re a long-time member of our community or new to our space, we’re grateful to have you here. Our center has always been a place of refuge, learning, and connection—a sangha rooted in compassion, mindfulness, and peace.

More than two years ago, Khenpo Tshering Chophel and Lama Nancy Burks envisioned a Dharma center where the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings could be carried out in a way that is accessible in modern America while maintaining the integrity of authentic lineage. Since then, we have made considerable progress with limited resources, including membership dues, program fees, and donations both large and small from many generous supporters. During our first year, we incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Michigan and received tax-exempt status as a Buddhist Church from the IRS. We began meeting in a temporary space, then found our current location on the top floor of a church in downtown Ann Arbor. We then turned to the arduous task of applying for a work visa for Khenpo Chophel to come to our new center as teacher and spiritual advisor.

Since Khenpo's arrival in Michigan in September 2023, he’s carried out a variety of programs designed to welcome newcomers while also deepening the practice of our existing members. These offerings reflect both our growth and our community’s commitment to the Buddha's teachings. Some of the programs so far:

Weekly meditation for all levels, focusing on the stages of shamatha (calm abiding)

Teachings covering mind training, the 4 seals, and many other topics

Lunar New Year open house and other introductions to the community

Free meditation workshop for Groundcover, serving the housing insecure

Teaching meditation to young teens, many with learning differences

Individual interviews with all who sign up

Our first weekend retreat (see picture above!)

Most of these programs have been free, and we haven’t turned anyone away for lack of funds. Khenpo’s creativity and insight into the needs of our diverse community have led to his rapid development as a teacher in the U.S., where his kindness and generosity are such essential qualities to help us today.

With this, our first organized fundraising effort, we seek to build a strong financial foundation so we can continue our work and keep Khenpo Chophel here for years to come. Additionally, we aim to support his vision of expanding our offerings beyond Ann Arbor to reach more communities in Southeast Michigan and elsewhere. It won’t be long before we outgrow our current space, but for now our more urgent goal is to secure enough funds to meet our ongoing expenses, which in addition to rent and insurance include Khenpo Chophel’s basic living expenses and health insurance. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of people like you. By supporting Karuna Buddhist Center, you’re not just contributing to a person or a place—you’re investing in a vision. Together, we can ensure this sacred space that our teacher Khenpo Chophel has created remains open for all who seek inner peace, clarity, and connection.

Thank you for helping us create a more compassionate and mindful society!

Letter from Khenpo Chophel

Dear Friends and Supporters,

With a heart full of gratitude, I’m happy to share that it’s been more than a year since I arrived at Karuna Buddhist Center in person. My deepest wish has always been to share the insights of the Buddha with others, and it brings me great joy to know that our efforts have been meaningful and helpful to many in our community. In today’s world, meditation offers an essential way for everyone, whatever their spiritual leaning, to find peace and balance in the face of daily challenges.

Our Center was created with the heartfelt intention of benefiting our community and all sentient beings, and thanks to the hard work and support of our members and friends, led by Lama Nancy Burks, we’ve come so far together. My first year here was focused on getting settled, learning so much about this country and its people, and setting up appropriate teaching and practice programs to help people cultivate mindfulness and inner calm. In addition to developing and expanding those programs, for my second year in Ann Arbor my hope is to create a secure foundation of financial support to carry us into the future, and eventually fulfill our long-term dream of having a permanent place for the Center—a space where we can welcome even more people to explore the Buddha’s teachings.

As we are a non-profit Buddhist center, your help and support are invaluable to us. I am deeply grateful for all the kindness you’ve shown, and I humbly ask for your continued help as we take the next steps on this journey. To those who are just discovering Karuna Buddhist Center, I warmly invite you to join our community and support us in any way you are able. Every gesture of kindness means so much.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Khenpo Tshering Chophel

2024 Karuna Buddhist Center Fundraiser

By Karuna Buddhist Center Karma Shenphen Nyingtse Ling

2024 Karuna Buddhist Center Fundraiser