Karma Sangha Canada is the Nalandabodhi Board of Directors founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. It is responsible for upholding the vision of Nalandabodhi Canada as inspired by Rinpoche's teachings and instructions. Karma Sangha is responsible for safeguarding the financial and legal health of Nalandabodhi Canada and for establishing policies and procedures that support consistency in implementation of Rinpoche's and Nalandabodhi's vision in Canada. Our mission is to protect the welfare of the Nalandabodhi Canada membership and to support the Nalandabodhi Executive Council Canada and the Nalandabodhi Mitras in carrying out the many activities of establishing a genuine Canadian Buddhism.
Karma Sangha (Board of Directors) Canada
Lama Rabten Tshering, Resident
Teacher
Under his father's guidance, Lama Rabten's education started at an
early age and was comprised of learning music and memorizing Karma
Kagyu Tantras. At the age of 16 he became a monk. Soon thereafter,
he was fully engaged in Dharma studies and Vajrayana ritual
practice.
In 1990 Lama Rabten entered Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India, the
principal seat of HH Karmapa. In 1992 he was appointed senior
Disciplinary Master of the monastery and served in this capacity
for five years. In 2001, Lama Rabten completed a three-year retreat
at Phullahari Retreat Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Lama Rabten moved to Canada in 2002. He teaches regularly at
Maitrivana, Nalandabodhi Canada's headquarters in Vancouver, and
travels to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax to teach and guide
students in their practice. Lama Rabten is also an accomplished
calligrapher and offers both Tibetan calligraphy and language
instruction. Fluent in several languages, including Tibetan,
Mandarin, and Nepalese, Lama Rabten continues to improve his
English with formal and informal studies. Combined with his regular
activities, Lama Rabten strives toward the consistent growth,
stability, and success of Nalandabodhi; thus, enabling the
dissemination of the pure and genuine Dharma in the West.
Michael Munro, Chair
Mike, a practicing physiotherapist and yoga teacher, has been a
student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1998. He is
co-owner of Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio in Halifax which
offers yoga classes and Yoga Teacher Training. Mike hopes to help
make the teaching of the genuine lineage of the Buddha available in
Canada through supporting Nalandabodhi Canada and its activities.
Mike plays electric guitar and loves hanging out with his kids.
Kim McMeans, Director
Kim has been a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1993, and
has been studying Tibetan Buddhism since 1986. In addition to
serving as the Chair of Nalandabodhi Executive Council, Canada she
serves as a director on the Karma Sangha Canada. Kim holds a MEd
from the University of British Columbia in Curriculum Development
and has worked as an educator, both in the classroom and in
administration for 30 years in Vancouver and Hong Kong.
Retired from teaching since 2005, Kim devotes her time to study,
practice and administration as often as she can, in between
traveling in the southern and eastern parts of the world.
Mary Chung, Director
Mary has been a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since
2002. She has served in the past as Director of the Nalandabodhi
Toronto Study Group and a member of Nalandabodhi Executive Council,
Canada. She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for "Karmapa in
America 2008." In addition to her Karma Sangha Board
responsibilities, she serves as Communications Secretary (Asia) in
the Office of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Mary received a B.A. in
Economics from Stanford and a MBA from UCLA. She co-authored
Riding the Tiger, a book on information technology for
business managers.
Joyce Lam, Director
Joyce became a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 1992. Joyce
worked as a social worker in Hong Kong before immigrating to
Vancouver. She has translated the Nalandabodhi Curriculum into
Chinese and helps to lead the NalandabodhiVancouver Chinese Study
Group. Joyce also serves on the Nalandabodhi Executive Council,
Canada.
Stella Young
Stella took her refuge vow in 1979 and has worked in the
administration of Chinese Mahayana centers in Vancouver. She
became Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's student in 1993 and has worked in
the administration of Nalandabodhi Vancouver since its formation.
In addition to serving on the Karma Sangha Board Canada, Stella is
a co-director of Nalandabodhi Vancouver, and serves as Coordinator
of Practice for Vancouver. Professionally, she works as a
pharmacist.