ALUMNI STORIES
Maitripa College alumni share their story of where they were in their lives before enrolling at Maitripa, what it was like for them
during their program, and where they are now. Prospective students who are interested in speaking with a current student
or an alumni member may CONTACT SARA BLUMENTHAL at studentservices@maitripa.org for more information.

Click here for overview of STUDENT LIFE at Maitripa and local resources.


LINDA MARSHALL
M.A. Buddhist
Studies, '09

My life was in transition when I began the program at Maitripa College. After all those years I found myself adrift without family or even pets. My son had grown and was mostly gone. I was trying to establish myself in a new job and a new apartment, not having rented since the early ‘80s. I felt unsettled and, for the first time, I couldn't imagine my future. Maitripa gave me a multi-year plan. After that, I expected I would know what to do.

I still have the same job, which I do differently, and the same apartment. My outer life hasn't changed all that much, but my inner life has. Instead of spending time on damage control, I’m spending time envisioning things. I have faith in the dharma instead of being essentially faithless. I feel lucky and pretty optimistic.

I feel that what I have learned at Maitripa has become a part of who I am, what I do, and how I express myself. I find I am more considerate to clients than I used to be, for example, and I've ramped up my community service. I understand that by supporting these communities, everyone benefits, even myself.


MICHAEL D. JOLLIFFE
M.A. Buddhist
Studies, ’09

In the summer of 2005, I went to volunteer at Nalanda Monastery in France for about two weeks. It was a beautiful experience, but also very turbulent: In that short time, I met Yangsi Rinpoche (President & Founder of Maitripa College), formally declared myself a Buddhist, and decided that all I wanted to do was study Buddhism. The thought of going back to the United States was daunting and a little painful, and I dreaded and resented the fact that I had to decide either to get a job, or earn a graduate degree in order to get a job.

I went back home, finished my undergraduate degree, and then “ran away” to Portland in spite of the chagrin of my parents. It was actually a little scary. I had no job, no place to stay, no money of my own, and no real plan. I felt immature and timid, and that was a little hard.

Maitripa gave me a chance to grow up in my own way. While I feel more mature and confident now, I still feel like I’m honest about who I was when I arrived. (Ask anyone at Maitripa if they’ve ever seen me sleeping in class, and you’ll understand what I mean.) It was because of Maitripa that I met some of my closest friends and it seems to me that perhaps the majority of my learning has come from studying and practicing with them as a community.

After graduating in 2009 with my M.A. Buddhist Studies, I did advanced study at Maitripa in the Vajrayana Certificate program, and I’m exploring options for more education and practice beyond Maitripa. I currently work for FPMT’s Mandala Publications as the assistant editor and occasionally lead pujas and meditations as part of Maitripa’s public program.  


JUSTIN JENKINS
M.A. Buddhist
Studies, ‘09

I started at Maitripa a month after completing an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies in Colorado. The opportunity to learn the Buddhist path directly from Yangsi Rinpoche and to be part of a dharma community brought me to the school. I arrived in Portland in January of 2006 an eager and idealistic student.

What Maitripa led me through was beyond my previous conceptions of learning and developing oneself as a person. Over and over it opened my eyes to new perspectives, and challenged me in ways for which I couldn’t prepare. It was a priceless education and truly a personal process of transformation. The program challenged me to develop book smarts, experiential meditation smarts, and grounded, egoless service smarts all at the same time. I had to apply my studies on campus, at home, at work—everywhere—and all that time continuing as a student.

Currently I am using my degree in two ways. I am applying for further graduate work in religious studies as I pursue an academic teaching career. I am also furthering my studies in translating Tibetan Buddhist texts, an interest developed at Maitripa.

My degree is also being put to use in the details of my daily life. What I learned at Maitripa can’t be separated from how I relate to my world—to other people, to myself, and to the environment. The qualities and tools that I have from my time there are at my core and will be utilized for the rest of my days on Earth.     


LOCATION | CONTACTS | VISIT

Maitripa College | 1119 SE Market Street | Portland, Oregon USA 97214 | phone: 503-235-2477 | email: info@maitripa.org | fax: 503-231-6408