Statements of Appreciation
Education Scholarship and Development Fund
I am extremely grateful to the FPMT for their support during my final year at Maitripa. The scholarship allowed me to finish my studies. Just as important as the money was the feeling of stability and reassurance I received. During a time when higher education is about jobs, you were thinking about dharma. During a time when my friends and family questioned my resolve, you affirmed it. During a time when I stood alone and with difficulty, you made me part of a community. Thank you so much. My studies at Maitripa have changed my life and I will continue to support the college as it grows, prospers, and fulfills the vision of those who have worked so hard to create it.
-Linda Marshall, Alumna, M.A. Buddhist Studies Class of 2009 & Tantric Class of 2010
My name is Ioana Iuga. I am an international student in the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies at Maitripa College. I have felt a strong inexplicable connection with Buddhism for at least a decade and coming to Maitripa is indeed a dream coming true. Still, I wouldn’t have been able to come without your support. I come from a small former communist country that is struggling to become capitalist. Even if I live a good, decent life there, I don’t have the financial possibilities that a westerner does. Therefore, I STRONGLY believe that the scholarship that I received was VITAL to me and, even if both my mother and I have put all the efforts into making my dream come true, I wouldn’t have succeeded without your help.
THANK YOU, GRATEFULLY.
-Ioana Iuga, Current Master of Arts Student in Buddhist Studies
There are so many obstacles in one's life that can prevent happiness. From what I understand, the path of the bodhisattva is to help remove those obstacles that exist in the lives of others, so as to help them help themselves along the path. What better description is there for what you have done for me? This scholarship made it feasible for me to attend Maitripa, one of the greatest opportunities of my life, an opportunity to both to study at a top-rate academic level, and to have Yangsi Rinpoche as a teacher. Over the last year I have seen myself grow and progress in so many ways, from my spiritual path to my personal development to my life career path. This was only possible through your generosity and kind spirit. And for that, I thank you. Thank you FPMT.
-Karl Schmid, Current Master of Arts Student in Buddhist Studies
The Maitripa College educational experience is very powerful and rare. Thank you for your devotion and dedication to creating and supporting this type of special opportunity here in Portland. And thank you for the financial scholarship I received for the Fall Semester of 2009. This support was very helpful. Financial support such as this makes the Maitripa experience available to many students who might not otherwise be able to attend Maitripa and receive the benefit of this type of complete, well rounded learning opportunity. Again, thank you for your service to Maitripa College and its student body, and for the financial scholarship.
-Chuck Latimer, Alumnus, M.A. Buddhist Studies Class of 2009 & Tantric Class of 2010
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to FPMT for their generosity in providing scholarship assistance to myself and my fellow students at Maitripa College. This kindness on the part of FPMT not only allows me to continue with my valuable study of the dharma, but it also sets an example of the paramita of generosity, which I hope to emulate in my daily life, both inside and outside the walls of Maitripa College. Thank you for planting these generous seeds. With palms joined together …
-Mike Sobel, Current Master of Arts Student in Buddhist Studies
The path to enlightenment is replete with causes and conditions. One very important aspect of that path is the support of those with bodhichitta. Without such guides and patrons and dearest of friends my potential would remain nascent as a seed born in the lush rainforest desiccated in the desert. Since I turned to Yangsi Rinpoche and Maitripa College for precious guidance on my way nearly three years ago, I have been honored to receive financial support from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT through the Maitripa Scholarship Fund. These offerings provided me not only more time and space to pursue my studies, but an outstanding example of generosity as well. As I reflect on the acts of giving that have facilitated my transformative experiences at Maitripa, I am inspired by the deep trust my teachers and the FPMT placed in me. The humility and energy aroused by such trust adds clean fuel to the fire I’ve found inside which intends to offer warmth and light to all mother sentient beings. As I quickly approach the completion of my Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies degree at Maitripa, I prostrate and thank you from the depth of my heart for the opportunities Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche, the FPMT and Maitripa College have bestowed upon me. May we work continuously for the awakening of all sentient beings.
-Daryl Dunigan, Alumnus, M.A. Buddhist Studies Class of 2010
I want to thank you so much for being able to provide me with a scholarship for my tuition at Maitripa College. As I am from Iceland and a foreign student I am not able to work in America for the time being, so being able to receive a scholarship really helps me out financially. I feel that my education at Maitripa is a valuable one and hopefully something that I will carry out into the larger world in a beneficial way. So thank you again for making this rare opportunity possible.
-Anna Tara Edwards, Current Master of Arts Student in Buddhist Studies
