Joshua Schauls

11311 19th Ave SE Apt G346 ! Everett, WA 98208 ! Phone: (509) 724-3320 ! E-Mail: nwyogi@gmail.com

Date: 06/07/2019

Dr. David Germano

Professor of Religious Studies; Director, UVa Tibet Center; Director, UVa Contemplative Sciences Center and Director
University of Virginia
323 Gibson Hall
PO Box 400126
Charlottesville, VA 22904

Dear Dr. Germano:

I am writing to express interest in the position of Coordinator of Great Perfection Initiative Research at
the University of Virginia. Since the age of fifteen I have been a dedicated Sangha member with the
Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, growing up in the Dzogchen tradition, and engaging in various Nyingmapa
practices over the past twenty-two years. Beginning in 2006, in order to deepen my knowledge of
Tibetan tradition and language, I moved to the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and attended the Rangjung
Yeshe Institute at Kathmandu University. Through studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute I developed a
solid foundation in Classical Tibetan earning a Bachelors with Honors in Buddhist Philosophy and
Himalayan Language in 2011. During this six-year residency in Nepal I was able to deepen knowledge of
Dzogchen traditions and practices through direct guidance from various Dudjom Tersar, Chokling Tersar,
and Longchen Nyingthig lineage Lamas.

After completing my studies at Kathmandu University I received a Contemplative Studies Scholarship

from the Tsadra Foundation. Through the auspices of the Tsadra Foundation and guidance of Lama
Pema Dorje Rinpoche I engaged in a solitary four year and eight month retreat in an isolated area in
southern Oregon. The retreat was rooted in the Dudjom Tersar tradition and functioned primarily in
Tibetan, based on Dudjom Rinpoche’s commentaries on the gnam lcags spu gri, sa ra ha’i snying thig
zab mo, and the ye shes snang ba. During breaks between meditation sessions I studied the works of
Lonchenpa, especially the chos dbyings mdzod and the tshig don mdzod, to further supplement my
practices. The last twelve months of the retreat focused solely on the Dzogchen practices of Rushen,
Trekcho, and Thogal from Dudjom Rinpoche’s commentary entitled ‘od gsal snang ba’i dga’ ston.

I’m adept at word processing and graphic design programs, and have confidence in my ability to
assimilate and utilize new technologies. I’m confident that knowledge gained through studies at
Kathmandu University and direct experience with Dzogchen practices and commentaries make me a good
candidate for the position of Coordinator of Great Perfection Initiative Research, despite a lack of the
requisite M.A. degree. I’m a dedicated Dzogchen practitioner and aspiring Buddhist Scholar devoted to
research and translation of this profound cultural and philosophical tradition. Thank you for considering
my application.

Sincerely,

Joshua Schauls