Scott Tusa on Pilgrimage, Parenting, and Practice in Nepal
Mariana Restrepo, deputy editor of Buddhadharma, speaks with dharma teacher Scott Tusa while on pilgrimage in Nepal, reflecting on the intersections of practice, pilgrimage, and parenting—from shared monastic roots to the realities of everyday life.
While on pilgrimage in Nepal, I had the good fortune of running into dharma teacher Scott Tusa. We took the opportunity to sit down and reflect on the themes of pilgrimage, practice, and parenting—and how these seemingly separate aspects of life are deeply intertwined on the spiritual path. In this conversation, we explored the monastic and householder paths, and how we both share this experience—having lived as monastics and now bringing our practice into the everyday realities of parenting. We also talked about how to approach pilgrimage with intention and how to carry that view into the rhythms and responsibilities of daily life.
Mariana Restrepo is deputy editor of Buddhadharma, Lion’s Roar’s online source for committed Buddhists. Born and raised in Colombia, Mariana has practiced in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism for more than 20 years. Her path has included time as a monastic, long-term retreat, and years of service within retreat centers and dharma organizations. She brings a deep commitment to integrating Buddhist principles into everyday life—especially in the context of parenting and community building.
Mariana holds a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, has taught university-level courses on Buddhism and Indian religions, and has organized large-scale Buddhist events and pilgrimages. She is passionate about making Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant across languages and lived experiences. She also works with Middle Way Education, contributing to the development of their curricular framework, which helps to support Buddhist-inspired learning for children and families. She currently lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina with her husband and two children.
Scott Tusa is a Buddhist meditation teacher and practitioner with over two decades of experience in the exploration and embodiment of the Buddhist path. Ordained by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at twenty-eight, Scott spent nine years as a Buddhist monk. Since 2008, he has been sharing his knowledge and guidance, teaching Buddhism and meditation worldwide, in person and online.
