Nalandabodhi is an international Buddhist organization founded in the United States by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 1997 and is named after the historic Nalanda university of India. "Nalanda" translates literally as "the place that confers the lotus (of spiritual knowledge)," and Bodhi translates as "enlightenment." Their international headquarters is Nalanda West in Seattle, with centers and study groups in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe and Asia. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche worked closely with his teacher, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, in creating Nalandabodhi's paths of Study, Meditation, and Mindful Activity. Nalandabodhi’s path is rooted in the Vajrayana traditions of Tibet and India. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, a lineage holder of the Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhist lineages, currently serves as the Spiritual Director of Nalandabodhi. Organization Nalandabodhi has an international senior administrative team, board of directors, and council of senior teachers (Acharyas, Lamas, and Mitras) who work together to run Nalandabodhi under the direction of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. The Nalandabodhi International senior administrative team is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operations of Nalandabodhi International. Karma Sangha is the Nalandabodhi Board of Directors. This group is responsible for safeguarding the financial and legal health of Nalandabodhi, as well as establishing policies and procedures that support the implementation of Ponlop Rinpoche’s vision. The Nalandabodhi Canada Executive Board (NCEB) is the corresponding administrative body for Canada. The Nalandabodhi Mitras, lamas, and acharyas supervise the paths of study, meditation, and mindful activity. In addition, these senior Buddhist teachers guide the organization in accord with the principles of dharma, teach programs, conduct personal practice interviews with students, answer study questions, give refuge vows, bodhisattva vows, and reading transmissions (such as for the Vajrayana preliminary practices ("ngöndro")). They may also perform wedding, funeral, and other ceremonial services. The Mitra Council consists of senior Nalandabodhi teachers appointed by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. "Mitra" is a Sanskrit word derived from kalayanamitra or "spiritual friend." Headquarters, Centers, and Retreat Sites Nalanda West, located in Seattle, Washington and inaugurated in 2005, is the primary seat for Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Nalandabodhi. Nalanda West operates as an event and contemplative resource center, hosting programs related to the traditional Five Fields of Knowledge: creativity and the arts, health and well-being, communication, knowing and reasoning, and the inner science of the mind. There are Nalandabodhi centers in major cities throughout the United States and Canada including New York, New York; the Maitrivana center