Board of Directors
Khenpo Tshering Chophel, Spiritual Director
Lama Nancy Burks, President
Joe Myers, Treasurer
William T. D. Soergel, Secretary
Jack Huynh, Advisor
Matt Willis, Advisor
Karuna means “compassion” in Sanskrit, Hindi, Pali, Thai, and other languages and is the equivalent of the Tibetan word “nyingtse.”
About Our Center
Founded in 2022, Karuna Buddhist Center, Karma Shenphen Nyingtse Ling, presents the authentic, traditional teachings of Buddhism in a way that is relevant to our modern world and its rampant problems of distraction, isolation, meaninglessness, and addiction, with their underlying causes of fear, insecurity, and anger. While our roots are in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, we value the wisdom and teachings of all genuine Buddhist traditions, and indeed of all the other great spiritual paths established on our earth for the benefit of all its inhabitants. What these paths have in common is the wish to relieve suffering and bring about true and lasting joy.
Our regular weekly programs are free and open to the public, though donations are always appreciated! We list a suggested donation for special programs, such as retreats and courses, but it is our policy not to turn anyone away for lack of funds. Contact us if you have any questions before attending. Sign up for our newsletter, visit the Programs Page, or follow Karuna Buddhist Center on Facebook.
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, gave us our Tibetan name—Karma Shenphen Nyingtse Ling—and permission to start the center in this letter. Roughly translated as “The place where altruism and compassion are taught according to the Karma Kagyu Lineage,” this is our “blessing name,” though we usually use the simpler, more accessible working title “Karuna Buddhist Center.”
Khenpo Chophel designed our logo with an umbrella and nurturing hands—or, they might as well be flames or lotus petals! The umbrella, one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, symbolizes protection, and its top ornament represents the Three Jewels: the Buddha, his teachings (Dharma), and the community of practitioners (Sangha). When we take refuge in these three we are protected from adversity, like an umbrella keeps off the rain. And because our center is committed to an ecumenical or rimé approach, we welcome all Buddhist traditions under our canopy. Ask Khenpo Chophel for more about the symbolism of our logo!
But you don’t have to be a Buddhist to participate! Many people are not looking for a religion, and some of our programs are specifically designed as secular, including our Meditate Anywhere programs as well as some of our courses and retreats. And you don’t have to become a Buddhist to attend any of our programs and learn skills for developing stability, peace, and compassion through meditation. Everyone is welcome under our umbrella!
About Our Teachers
Khenpo Tshering Chophel was born to Tibetan refugee parents in Rumtek, Sikkim, in 1982, and became a monk at an early age, receiving a traditional monastic education for ten years. He then joined the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi, India, where he obtained his secondary school diploma, Shastri (Bachelor’s) Degree, and Acharya (Master’s) Degree. While there, Khenpo Chophel studied Buddhist philosophy according to all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Khenpo Chophel has taught at the monks’ school in Rumtek and the Karma Kagyu Center in Hong Kong, as well as teaching Buddhist philosophy and practice online to students around the world. He is interested in applying the ancient wisdom of Buddhism to the problems facing the modern world. In 2014, he was awarded the Khenpo (Abbot) certificate and in 2022 he completed his Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies at Visva-Bharati University, one of the oldest and most prestiguous public universities in India.
Khenpo Chophel moved to Ann Arbor in 2023 to become Spiritual Director of Karuna Buddhist Center. He is now available for in-person and video interviews, which can be scheduled by contacting the center’s secretary at williamsoergel@
Lama Nancy Burks grew up in Ann Arbor and became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in 1978. She has taught meditation and Buddhism since 1981, and in 2000 completed the traditional 3-year, 3-month meditation retreat in Delhi, NY, receiving the title of Lama. Nancy then returned to Ann Arbor and resumed her career while becoming involved with the Ann Arbor KTC meditation center, where Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche asked her to teach.
Nancy has a BA from Stanford University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked as a psychologist in a variety of hospital and outpatient settings before retirement. In 2019, she and Khenpo Tshering Chophel began work to open Karuna Buddhist Center. Nancy lives in Ann Arbor with her husband.
