Teachers

​Our spiritual community (Sangha) is guided by local teacher Sue Kochan and our root teacher and spiritual advisor Anam Thubten Rinpoche, founder of Dharmata Foundation. Dharma Refuge is fortunate to host Dharma teacher and author Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel for public talks and annual retreats as well as other distinguished Dharma teachers within the Nyingma lineage. Sue offers a Dharma talk following practice several times a month. Please see our monthly calendar listing for upcoming events, classes, retreats and weekly practices.

Anam Thubten Rinpoche

Anam Thubten Rinpoche grew up in Tibet and at an early age began to practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his many teachers, his most formative guides were Lama Tsurlo, Khenpo Chopel, and Lama Garwang. He is the founder and spiritual advisor of Dharmata Foundation, teaching widely in the U.S. and abroad. He is also the author of various articles and books in both the Tibetan and English language. His books in English include The Magic of Awareness and No Self, No Problem.

To view Anam Thubten’s teaching and retreat schedule, please visit www.dharmata.org/events-calendar. Through the essential wisdom of Buddhism and his personal experience on the spiritual path, Anam Thubten brings alive the timeless teachings and invites everyone to participate.

Sue Kochan

Sue was inspired to dedicate her life to the path of the Bodhisattva when she first met H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in 1999. She has been studying and practicing the Dharma ever since. In 2008, at the request of her teacher Anam Thubten Rinpoche, she was ordained to teach. Sue’s teachings are based on the transcendent wisdom of the Buddha as they have been transmitted through the lineage of her teachers. Her particular interest is "Dharma off the cushion." How do we use the conditions of our life to open and awaken us, for the benefit of all beings? Sue is motivated everyday by Dharma Refuge's vision "A World Of Bodhisattvas."

Sue's career in advertising and marketing was focused on work with sustainable brands as well as public sector behavior change campaigns designed to reduce energy and water consumption. Her public speaking includes topics such as mindfulness, compassion based leadership, human-centered communications and engagement; corporate social responsibility; public awareness and behavior change and resource conservation as it relates to climate change.

In addition to being a wife, mom, and teacher at Dharma Refuge, Sue is retired founder and CEO of Verdant Brand Communications, now a division of Butler Till Media.

Sue is endlessly curious about "being human." Amused by a livelihood that creates concepts and a vocation that endeavors to see through them.