Bodhisattva’s Path
Compassion in Action® Fellows Program
A year-long journey for practitioners (ages 18–27) to deepen their meditation practice, build community, and engage in meaningful service.
Why This Program
Deepen Your Meditation Practice, Build Community, and Promote Social Change
Youth have always been at the forefront of social change, and today’s rising generation knows that our challenges are interconnected and that we need both inner change at the personal level and outer change in our communities and world.
Offered by the Namchak Foundation, an educational organization sharing Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) practices in contemporary ways, this fellowship integrates ancient and modern wisdom to support today’s young leaders in addressing the challenges of the 21st century. The curriculum instructs students in Buddhist principles, particularly those practiced by the Namchak Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Inspired by the bodhisattva path—awakening for the benefit of all beings—Fellows cultivate compassion and wisdom while bringing those qualities into their campuses, communities, and the wider world.
TeacherS
Lama Tsomo
Justin Kirkwood
Jetsunma Jamyang Yesha Palmo
Facilitators
Edomyas Solomon
Rachel Ashley
Emily Ballentine
Jessica Larson
Program Length
1 year
When
May 2026–May 2027
Applications for the next cohort are due March 1, 2026
Summer Immersion Retreat—May 27, 2026-June 17, 2026
WHERE
Online and In Person at the Namchak Retreat Ranch
STIPEND & EXPENSES
ConsciousLeadershipfor an Interconnected World
If you’re looking to have a meaningful life, this program has all of the elements to support you on that journey.”
Lama Tsomo
Where it all begins
The Summer Immersion Retreat
The Fellows Program begins with a three-week retreat: part study, part meditation retreat, and part land stewardship work. Fellows learn meditation practices, build a meaningful community, explore social change models, and engage in contemplative practices while acting as land stewards and participating in our permaculture practices.
To me a more compassionate world looks like one that responds and answers with love, no matter the question. Making progressive changes towards a more equal, kind world should be in the interest of everyone. The world needs to gain a little bit of perspective and empathy in order to be successful.
A more compassionate world looks like people assuming the best in a stranger before judgment based on any variable.
A more compassionate world to me is one that swaps out power, competition, and greed for kindness, love, and boundless altruism.
The first step in changing the world, in building peace and power, is changing one’s heart: expanding one’s capacity to be compassionate.
The Fellowship has provided a group of inspiring souls who are courageous with sharing a deep part of their lives and who are Compassion in Action with making space for others to do the same. Also a second, third, fourth, I lost count, reckoning of who I am and how I relate with others.
The Fellowship has given me a chance to practice my diplomacy skills. To me, diplomacy means dealing with people in a sensitive way to maintain relationships. I hope that this community grows in such a way that we can continue to support each other on our spiritual paths.
The Fellowship has provided me with a sincere community of humans across the country, equipped me with the skills for local community building, and offered the opportunity to share and practice my passions while cultivating conscious connections.
Meditation. Community. Engagement.
80+
Students Have Participated
6YR
of the Compassion in Action® Fellows Program
What Fellows Experience
Meditate, Learn, and Grow in Community
Embark on a year-long journey of awakening, where you will connect with and practice meditation alongside others while discovering your unique gifts to contribute to the world.
AN AWAKENING JOURNEY
Curriculum Lenses
At Namchak, we use three lenses to examine how we can make a difference in the world: Personal, Community, and World.
Personal — Practice Shamata and the Four Boundless Qualities to still the mind and open the heart.
Community — Cultivate “Engaged Awareness in Action,” learning to connect deeply and lead from a place of intention.
World — Explore advocacy and action, discerning “my work” in creating a more compassionate society.
Application Process
There are two ways to be considered for this program.
1. Application: If you feel called to this program, fill out an application form.
2. Nomination: If you know an ideal candidate, fill out a nomination form.
After we receive your application, you will receive a confirmation email that it has been received. Selection of those chosen as Fellows is at the sole discretion of the Namchak Foundation.
Compensation & Expenses: Fellows will receive $5,000, paid in two parts: at the beginning and end of the Fellows Program year. Reasonable program expenses, including travel, food, and lodging for the retreats, are covered to enable the Fellows to carry out their responsibilities in the Fellows Program. The Fellows Program does not currently offer academic credit, but students may arrange an independent study through their institution with Namchak teachers and staff support. We’re happy to discuss options and share past examples.
Nomination Process
Nominees must be ages 18-27, reside within the United States and Canada who are committed to creating inner and outer social change. If you know an ideal candidate, please fill out an online nomination form here. Our team will contact you to confirm your nomination. If you have any questions, please contact our team at compassioninaction@namchak.org
We look forward to receiving your applications and nominations!
meet your Teacher
Lama Tsomo
Each one of us is both the part and the whole–the ocean and the wave.”
meet your Teacher
Justin Kirkwood
The practice of the path is not necessarily learning new things, but removing obscurations–revealing what was already there.”
meet your Teacher
Jetsunma Jamyang Yeshe Palmo
I want to help people release themselves from the stresses of their daily lives.”
ARE YOU READY?