Our Amazing Alumni: A 2020 Update! The seeds planted in Maitripa College programs bear fruit as our graduates take what they have learned here into the world to benefit others. The Maitripa College family is proud of these alumni and invites you to join us in offering our wholehearted rejoicing in their accomplishments! >Click here for to see what our graduates are doing now.
Special in-depth stories of students’ experience at Maitripa College:
- A Stone by Any Other Name? (A Tibetan Translation Story) by Michael Ium (MA 2014)
- “The Degree Program at Maitripa College Helped Deepen the Meaning and Purpose of My Life~An Interview with Jane Sellers, MA 2009
- A Student’s Voice: Learning to Embrace Tradition, Lineage, and Ritual on the Path ~ “Coming In Out of the Woods” by Andrew Hughes
- Podcast: Carl Jensen, Maitripa College Alumnus and Board Certified Chaplain, sat down with Kate Macdonald (Maitripa College staff) and Andrew Hughes (student) to share his journey of becoming a Buddhist, and his insight into life as a working Chaplain at Providence Hospital. >More and to Listen to the Podcast
What Our Students Say (2019-2020)
Maitripa College can meet you where you are, whether you are very new to Buddhist practice, or you have a long-established practice. You will still find deep learning and a genuine community here! Please consider coming to Maitripa!
Maitripa provides a type of education you won’t easily find elsewhere; first, the student is led to explore the inner world rather than the outer world, you really come to know yourself at Maitripa and this helps in interpreting just what’s going on around you. Second, the approach to teaching is similar to that the Buddha used – topics and issues are pointed out and you are shown how and encouraged to explore them – there’s no didactic teaching at Maitripa. And third, the student body is unique in providing a non-competitive, safe and supportive environment for personal learning; I am quickly making some lovely and close friends at Maitripa.
When I first came to Maitripa, there was a lot of uncertainty in my life, and I wasn’t sure whether I could make it work to do the program. At the end of my first day of classes, I remember reflecting on what I had learned and experienced that day, and I remember thinking that if it didn’t work out for me to continue the program, I was still so very grateful to have had that one day. That one incredible day at Maitripa changed my life. Two years later, still in the program, I still feel that way. Every day at Maitripa changes my life. And I am so grateful to everyone who makes it happen, offering this rare and precious gift to those of us lucky enough to have found it.
Maitripa has taught me that deep happiness comes from serving others. It has also taught me that it is possible to have a deep sense of calm and wisdom even amidst intense suffering, and that anything can be used for the path to enlightenment.
Meet Some Maitripa College Alumni
Alumni of the MDiv Degree Program are employed as chaplains in hospitals and take leadership roles in their local spiritual communities. MA Degree Program alumni continue into Religious Studies PhD Programs or work as translators at Dharma Centers. In addition, many graduates of both programs continue to offer service locally to Maitripa College as well as to the FPMT as employees, volunteers, and teachers. Here are some of their stories.