Foundation

The Emaho Foundation

A welcoming space where timeless wisdom and compassionate action meet everyday life.

Organization

The Emaho Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization guided by Spiritual Director ZaChoeje Rinpoche and supported by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Since its founding, Emaho has sought to create a welcoming space where timeless wisdom and compassionate action meet everyday life.

ZaChoeje Rinpoche, Spiritual Director

Vision

To make the world a better place through embracing universal responsibility and joyfully practicing nonviolence, wisdom, love, and compassion.

Mission

The Emaho Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing Tibetan culture, supporting humanitarian initiatives, and nurturing spiritual growth for individuals and communities around the world.

A sand mandala — offered, then dissolved. The practice itself is the gift.

Core Values

At the heart of Emaho's work is the aspiration to create an inclusive and compassionate environment for all beings. Our community endeavors to embody the traditional Buddhist practice of the Six Perfections :

Generosity

Giving freely — of resources, attention, presence.

Ethics

Acting with care, restraint, and integrity in all directions.

Patience

Meeting difficulty without hardening ; resilience that softens.

Enthusiasm

Joyful effort — the energy that delights in the practice.

Concentration

Steady attention that lets insight settle and ripen.

Understanding

Wisdom that sees clearly into the nature of things.

Six Perfections in practice — patience drawing every line.

These principles guide not only our spiritual practice, but also the way we serve, teach, collaborate, and care for one another.

Our Goals

Tehor region schoolchildren — nearly 500 children supported.

Humanitarian

Compassion in action is central to Emaho's mission. Through volunteer-led humanitarian efforts, Emaho works to alleviate suffering without discrimination, both locally and internationally.

Since 2007, Emaho has supported humanitarian projects in the Tehor region of Tibet, including children's educational programs that provide school uniforms for nearly 500 children and help sustain hot lunch initiatives. Emaho also assists projects that preserve and restore historically significant Tibetan architecture and supports monks and nuns living in the vast Tehor region.

Locally, Emaho partners with organizations serving families facing food insecurity in the Phoenix area, continuing a long-standing commitment to caring for the wider community with kindness and dignity.

Cultural

Emaho is committed to preserving and sharing the richness of Tibetan culture and wisdom traditions for future generations.

Through programs such as Tibetan language studies, children's activities, book clubs, student talks, visiting lectures, and cultural events, Emaho offers opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with Tibetan arts, philosophy, history, and contemporary issues affecting Tibetans both in Tibet and throughout the world.

Tehor region — rebuilding together.

Spiritual

Under the guidance of ZaChoeje Rinpoche, Emaho offers teachings, workshops, retreats, meditations, empowerments, and Buddhist studies for both local and international communities.

Emaho's programs are designed to support meaningful inner development while encouraging wisdom, compassion, mindfulness, and joyful responsibility in everyday life. Scholars, teachers, and practitioners from various Buddhist organizations are also invited to share their knowledge and experience, creating a dynamic environment for study, reflection, and practice.

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Lou Ann Behringer, L.Ac.

Chairperson

Donna Tash

Vice Chair & Secretary

Regula Stewart, PhD

Treasurer

Melissa B. Smith

Board Member

The Emaho Foundation

Organization

Vision

Mission