We envision a world in which future generations bring together the best of both East and West in ways that promote universal values.

The Guna Foundation

In 1969 Venerable Tarthang Tulku came to America and established the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center (TNMC). His vision was to save, preserve, and maintain the vast tradition of wisdom and compassion handed down since the time of the Buddha. His organizational structure is a mandala. The Guna Foundation is part of this mandala.

For the past 42 years, Tarthang Tulku and his small circle of students and volunteer workers have worked quietly and tirelessly on two fronts: in the East, preserving the heart of the Tibetan culture for Tibetans in exile and in Tibet; and in the West, laying the ground for a lasting transmission of the Dharma for present and future generations.

Mission

Since its inception, the mandala of TNMC has grown with a long list of accomplishments. The Guna Foundation was created in 2009 to share the accomplishments of the TNMC mandala with the world, and to ensure that its valuable work to save the Tibetan culture is able to continue long into the future.

Using dynamic digital media, we seek to share the profound vision of our founder, Venerable Tarthang Tulku for the Tibetan Nyingma lineage in the West.

The Guna Foundation archives historical footage; creates web media, photo exhibitions, and promotional material; and produces documentary films all in-house at our studio in Berkeley, CA.

The Meaning of Guna

Guna is a Sanskrit word that means “qualities” or “attributes.” In the Buddhist context, it conveys all the enlightened qualities and attributes of a Buddha.

The Guna Foundation strives to share the living expression of these qualities in the Buddhist tradition around the world.

An Extraordinary Opportunity

The on-going establishment of Buddhism in the West represents a milestone in the history of human civilization.

The efforts of TNMC are a significant part of this extraordinary meeting between East and West.

Even though the Buddhist traditions are ancient, the ways they are imparted evolve with the world.

Guna uses multi-media approaches as a way to stay connected with our supporters and inspire people from all walks of life to join our unwavering commitment to preserve the Tibetan culture.

The aesthetic and wisdom traditions of Tibet have a tremendous amount to offer the modern world.

Guna strives to present a window into the beauty, spirit, and knowledge of these traditions that are the precious heritage of all of humanity.

The glorious achievements of Buddhist civilization as a whole, including the artistic, philosophical and meditative traditions represent highpoints of human civilization.

Through multi-media, Guna aims to promote the efforts of TNMC to support the sangha and restore the holy places of the Buddhist world.