Our aspiration is simple: peace within.
Death touches everyone, yet it often brings fear, pain and isolation.
Karuna exists to ease the suffering that surrounds death. The physical, emotional, spiritual and beyond, for individuals, families, carers and communities.
We offer specialist in-home palliative care, spiritual support, carer support, education and training. Our services are free, with many available seven days a week, and open to any person of any age, race, religion, gender or ability. Karuna compassion knows no boundaries.
Anchored in Buddhist principles, we hold a strong commitment to reduce suffering wherever we find it. Guided by our values of humility, kindness, respect and courage, every day we practice this commitment to those impacted by death in all its forms.
Our values
Our values are drawn from the 16 Guidelines for Life—a Buddhist framework for cultivating wisdom, compassion, and ethical action. Every day we strive to live the organisational values to the best of our ability.
HOW WE THINK
Humility: To delight in providing noble service in an altruistic manner for the benefit of all with whom we connect.
HOW WE ACT
Kindness: With a generous spirit we will nurture relationships with grace and empathy.
HOW WE RELATE
Respect: We commit to freely offering and affirming the uniqueness of all we encounter.
HOW WE FIND MEANING
Courage: “Courage is about stretch, it’s about realising that something more or different can be done, developing the determination to do it, and then carrying through despite all obstacles.” 16 Guidelines for Life.
Our Buddhist values
In our commitment to serve the community, we follow the inspirational ideal set by Karuna‘s spiritual patron – His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our spiritual foundation is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, specifically the teachings and practices of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Karuna is one of over 200 global FPMT service and teaching organisations.
We provide respectful, inclusive care with no judgment or barriers.
Who we serve
We support all individuals, families, and communities living with death and those who are dying, grieving, or caring, as well as those who are curious about death, spirituality and Buddhism.
We proudly serve and advocate for those who are often unseen or excluded. This includes but is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ communities, refugees and asylum seekers, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, rural and remote residents, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
About FPMT
The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition is a worldwide organisation with a large network of centres, projects and services. It is devoted to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values through teaching, meditation and community service. Its international network consists of Buddhist education and meditation centres, retreat centres, and projects whose functions are dedicated to the FPMT mission.
FPMT was founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984) and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (1947-2023), both Tibetan Buddhist monks. The Foundation is devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice, and actualise the teachings of the Buddha.
The organisation provides integrated education through which people can be inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. FPMT is committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion as taught by the Buddha. FPMT Inc. is a non-profit religious corporation incorporated in the State of California, USA. To learn more head to FPMT in Australia head to the Australian network of Buddhist and meditation centres.
