Keeping the children and their development at its center and inspired by Tibetan Buddhist teachings, we wish to provide a learning experience grounded in loving-kindness and compassion. Maitripa Tara School is invested in creating a community where the spiritual components of the personality are supported for the development of a Good Heart. By establishing a natural awareness of loving-kindness, care and respect for all beings, interdependency, and wisdom we actively engage with the children in developing their full potential.

Wisdom. In our educational philosophy, wisdom begins with the recognition that every child is endowed with the innate capacity to grow, play, and interact with others from a place of inner wisdom. Our approach as Guides and caregivers is to recognize and nurture that capacity within each child, and to teach them to recognize it in all those around them.

Compassion. In our educational philosophy, compassion is the method by which we approach ourselves, and everything around us. We interact with others with an eye towards fostering connection, communication, and wellbeing and focus on developing an awareness of self and other that centers the intent to alleviate suffering and bring joy.

Interdependence. In our educational philosophy, interdependence is reflected in the continual awareness of and actions in accordance with the understanding of the reality of our kinship as living beings on Earth—with one another, and with the natural world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Maitripa College faculty and students during the 2013 three-day Environmental and Interfaith Summit in Portland, Oregon, hosted by Maitripa College.

Maitripa College is a Buddhist institution of higher education offering contemplative learning culminating in graduate degrees. Founded upon three pillars of scholarship, meditation, and service, Maitripa College curriculum combines Western academic and Tibetan Buddhist disciplines. Through the development of wisdom and compassion, graduates are empowered with a sense of responsibility to work joyfully for the wellbeing of others. We serve our students and the region through diverse and relevant educational, religious and community programs.

By Lama Zopa Rinpoche, May 2013

May we practice kindness day and night, forever, not only towards friends, but also to strangers, and especially to the enemy; not only towards human beings, but also to animals and other beings who want happiness and don´t want to suffer.

May we constantly enjoy our lives by rejoicing. May we constantly enjoy happiness by rejoicing in all the positive things that bring benefit to others and to ourselves. And may we especially rejoice when we see all the good things that happen to others.

May we develop patience to achieve all happiness, temporal and ultimate, and to bring that happiness to others; not only to our family, but to all sentient beings.

May we develop all the 16 human qualities, an understanding which makes our lives different.

May we become skilled in not harming sentient beings, and may we become only the source of happiness for sentient beings, like sunshine.

May we practice contentment.

May we learn contentment and satisfaction. May we learn to enjoy contentment, which brings great freedom into our lives and brings us so much happiness. May we be an example to the world.

May we practice these good qualities and when somebody abuses or harms us, may we immediately forgive them. In daily life, when we make mistakes and harm others, may we immediately ask forgiveness.

May we be able to develop courage, to be an inspiring example and to be of benefit in so many ways for the happiness of others, not only for ourselves.