Karma Sangha's roles in the workings of Nalandabodhi U.S. are: 1)Overseeing the financial well-being of Nalandabodhi U.S., 2) Managing the legal work being done for and giving legal advice to NBNA, the Centers, and the Study Groups of Nalandabodhi U.S. , 3) Providing adequate financial resources via fundraising for NBNA, and 4) Applying the necessary oversight to NBNA's activities to ensure that the policies and procedures established by the Board or NBNA are being followed.
Karma Sangha supports the Executive Director in making NBNA an effective organization, assesses NBNA activities, protects the assets of NBNA, such as but not limited to Nalanda West, provides valuable financial oversight and finally, ensures the legal and ethical integrity of Nalandabodhi U.S.
Karma Sangha (Board of Directors) U.S.
ANDREW CLARK, Chair
Andrew Clark is a member of Karma Sangha and has been a student of 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. Andrew dotes on his family and, he states, "collects more air miles than he does merit." After he has finished his evening practice, Andrew enjoys smoking a cigar, drinking a martini, and thinking about math problems.
ANNA B. GRISWOLD, Vice Chair
Anna-Brown has been practicing and studying Buddhism since 1992. She earned a degree in Engaged Buddhism from Naropa University, and a master's degree in Psychology from 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.
MARK POWER, Second Vice Chair
Mark has been a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1993, having previously studied with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and The Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin since 1977. Mark has worked extensively in the administration of Nalandabodhi and is a member of the Mitra Council. As a teacher he enjoys exploring the meeting point of the paths of study and meditation with the activities of daily life: the path of activity. Mark works as a chaplain in a palliative care setting at Seattle Children's Hospital.
GLENDA JEAN PETERS-DO, M.D., Third Vice Chair
A student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1998, Jean has participated in the administration of numerous Nalandabodhi programs and projects. She attended Nitartha Institute for five years and served on the Board of Nitartha. Jean attended His Holiness Karmapa as his personal physician during his 2008 tour in America. She has practiced family and complementary medicine in Texas 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 three grown children.
ROBERT FORS, Treasurer
A Buddhist practitioner for over 30 years, and a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1996, Robert Fors lives in Seattle and joined Karma Sangha in 2009. Over the years, Robert has served Nalandabodhi in a number of roles, and is sometimes referred to as "Thousand Arms." His past activities include serving as Co-Director of Nalanda West, coordinator of Nalanda West Facilities and Audio/Video, and Director of Study for Nalandabodhi. With a history in forensic mental health, Robert is employed by the City of Seattle's Mental Health Court.
BETH
PATTERSON, MA, LPC
Beth Patterson has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism for over 20 years. Beth took her refuge vows with Ponlop Rinpoche in New York City in 1995, and officially became a student of Rinpoche in 2002. After a long career as an entertainment attorney in New York City, Beth moved to Boulder to attend Naropa University, and is a graduate of Naropa's transpersonal counseling psychology master's program. She is now a licensed psychotherapist and grief counselor in Denver. In addition to her private psychotherapy practice, Beth is the Life Care Coordinator and Bereavement Coordinator at SolAmor Hospice in Denver.
TIM
WALTON, Secretary
Tim Walton became a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 2002, and formerly served as Rinpoche's personal secretary, as well as as Practice Co-coordinator and Director of Nalandabodhi Seattle. Tim has worked primarily in the field of social service as a case manager for developmentally disabled adults in Santa Barbara, California, and as a case manager for homeless adults in Boulder, Colorado. He began studying Tibetan Buddhism in Santa Barbara and continued his studies at Naropa University in Boulder, where he received a master's degree in Buddhist Studies with a concentration in Tibetan language.