Karuna Buddhist Center—Karma Shenphen Nyingtse Ling in Tibetan—was started for the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible in modern America while maintaining the integrity of authentic lineage.

Modern Buddhism: What do Buddhist practices have to offer us today in our busy, often stressful lives? How can they help those who have not connected with organized religion, yet have deep questions about life? Or who feel drawn to a spiritual path, but are wary of anything that seems cultish or weird?

An independent center: It is such questions that inspired us to open an independent Buddhist center. Our main teachers, Khenpo Tshering Chophel and Lama Nancy Burks, have trained for decades in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, while also studying and practicing in other lineages and traditions. They hope to create a rimé or nonsectarian environment where we can explore all of the Buddha’s teachings as well as their current manifestations throughout the world without any sense of “our” way being superior.

Practices for daily life: We have a major focus on integrating our spiritual practice into everyday life. While there is much to be gained from retreats and practice intensives, they are often not feasible due to the demands of work, family, finances, health, and the other logistics of life in the world today. There are many Buddhist techniques that can carry our practice beyond formal meditation sessions, helping us work with our thoughts, feelings, and actions at any time of the day or night.

Personal guidance: It’s also important to address the many obstacles that arise in our practice–both the common ones like physical discomfort and maintaining a regular practice schedule, and the ones that are specific to you. Developing the enlightened qualities of our Buddha nature–our inherent compassion and wisdom–is well within our capabilities, but we can all use some guidance along the way. Therefore our teachers are available to provide free, individual guidance for those seeking to map out their own personal spiritual path. To this end, Khenpo Chophel has regular office hours every Friday, and both he and Lama Nancy are available for individual discussion by appointment.

Weekly schedule: Khenpo Chophel leads an ongoing meditation workshop every Saturday, 10:30-11:30am, which includes learning and practice of a variety of different meditation techniques. His meditation instruction is for both new and experienced meditators, followed by a break with coffee and tea. Then from 12-1pm, Karuna offers a monthly rotating schedule with Dharma teachings, workshops, and group discussion. View our programs for our current teachings and events, or get directions to our center. All of our regular weekly events are free, and newcomers are always welcome! Donations are appreciated if you would like to support the work we foster here at our center.

Fall Football Schedule

Bethlehem United Church of Christ, where Karuna is located, rents its parking lot for tailgates on football Saturdays when the University of Michigan plays at home. During the following dates, the church’s parking lot will be unavailable for free parking, but you can find free and paid parking on the streets around our center or at the Fourth and William public parking structure.

• 7 Sep: U-Mich vs. Texas (Noon)
• 14 Sep: U-Mich vs. Arkansas State (Noon)
• 21 Sep: U-Mich vs. USC (3:30pm)
• 28 Sep: U-Mich vs. Minnesota
• 26 Oct: U-Mich vs. Michigan State
• 2 Nov: U-Mich vs. Oregon
• 23 Nov: U-Mich vs. Northeastern

Location: Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 S. 4th Avenue, Upper Room, Ann Arbor, 48104. Use the Fifth Avenue entrance, take elevator to top floor, turn left.

NOTE: If the outside door is locked, please text the number listed on the sign and someone will come to let you in.

Below you can find our calendar of upcoming events, or you can visit our Programs page to learn more about our current programs and courses. We broadcast all our teachings and meditation instructions on Zoom, as with events that have a camera icon 🎥 by them.

Please note: we do not offer Zoom for certain events like our sadhana chanting practices or group discussion.