Ven. Suhita (Bhante) Dharma: Ven. Suhita Dharma, Mahathero (called “Bhante” by his students), is a well-known senior Buddhist bhikkhu ordained in the three Buddhist lineages: Mahayana, Theravada, and Varjayana. He is the first African American to be ordained a Buddhist monk; he was ordained by the late Ven. Thich Thien An, the first Vietnamese Buddhist master to come to Los Angeles. Bhante has been traveling to Mexico recently on a pilgrimage to pay respects to the ancient deities of the indigenous peoples of Mexico, praying to ask permission for the establishment of a Buddhist center in Mexico at the request of the Mayans, Yaquis, Tarahumaras, Pimas, and Aztecs and to meet with the chief shamans in those traditions. A longtime social justice activist and social worker, Bhante began working with Indo-Chinese refugees entering the U.S. in 1975 and has since worked with homeless persons, people with HIV-AIDS, and ex-offenders. Bhante teaches compassion meditation for everyday life and practice for those who are working with people in different communities, emphasizing a one-one-one approach as well as introducing students to the practice of the Kalyanamitta (spiritual friend) and helping those who are within the sea of samsaric suffering.
Mooji: Anthony Paul Moo-Young, known as Mooji, was born on 29 January 1954 in Port Antonio, Jamaica. In 1969, he moved to the UK and he is presently living in Brixton, London. Anthony worked in London's 'West end' as a street portrait artist for many years, then as a painter and a stained glass artist, and later as a teacher at Brixton College. For a long time, he was well known as Tony Moo, but is now affectionately known as Mooji* by the many seekers and friends who visit him.
Mooji is a direct disciple of Sri Harilal Poonja, the renowned advaita master, or Papaji, as his followers call him. In 1987, a chance meeting with a Christian mystic was to be a life-changing encounter for Mooji. It brought him, through prayer, into the direct experience of the Divine within. Within a short period, he experienced a radical shift in consciousness so profound that outwardly, he seemed, to many who knew him, to be an entirely different person. As his spiritual consciousness awakened, a deep inner transformation began which unfolded in the form of many miraculous experiences and mystical insights. He felt a strong wind of change blowing through his life which brought with it a deep urge to surrender completely to divine will. Shortly after, he stopped teaching, left his home and began a life of quiet simplicity and surrender to the will of God as it manifested spontaneously within him. A great peace entered his being, and has remained ever since.
Since 1999, Mooji has been sharing satsang in the form of spontaneous encounters, retreats, satsang intensives and one-to-one meetings with the many seekers who visit him, from all parts of the world, in search of the direct experience of truth. Few amongst the modern teachers of the advaita tradition expound the 'knowledge of Self', and the method of self-enquiry, with such dazzling clarity, love and authority. There is an energy that radiates from Mooji's presence, a kind of impersonal intimacy, full of love, joy and a curious mix of playfulness and authority. His style is direct, clear, compassionate and often humorous. Once caught in the grip of his questions, there seems to be no place to hide. So unsparing is his scrutiny and uncompromising stance, that the 'I' concept is inescapably exposed as a mental construction, when viewed from the formless awareness we are.
Over the last many years Mooji has been travelling to Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, North America, Argentina, Brasil, India, where he conducts Satsang meetings, Intensives and Retreats. He is ever open to meeting sincere seekers of truth, whatever their background.
Mooji is a direct disciple of Sri Harilal Poonja, the renowned advaita master, or Papaji, as his followers call him. In 1987, a chance meeting with a Christian mystic was to be a life-changing encounter for Mooji. It brought him, through prayer, into the direct experience of the Divine within. Within a short period, he experienced a radical shift in consciousness so profound that outwardly, he seemed, to many who knew him, to be an entirely different person. As his spiritual consciousness awakened, a deep inner transformation began which unfolded in the form of many miraculous experiences and mystical insights. He felt a strong wind of change blowing through his life which brought with it a deep urge to surrender completely to divine will. Shortly after, he stopped teaching, left his home and began a life of quiet simplicity and surrender to the will of God as it manifested spontaneously within him. A great peace entered his being, and has remained ever since.
Since 1999, Mooji has been sharing satsang in the form of spontaneous encounters, retreats, satsang intensives and one-to-one meetings with the many seekers who visit him, from all parts of the world, in search of the direct experience of truth. Few amongst the modern teachers of the advaita tradition expound the 'knowledge of Self', and the method of self-enquiry, with such dazzling clarity, love and authority. There is an energy that radiates from Mooji's presence, a kind of impersonal intimacy, full of love, joy and a curious mix of playfulness and authority. His style is direct, clear, compassionate and often humorous. Once caught in the grip of his questions, there seems to be no place to hide. So unsparing is his scrutiny and uncompromising stance, that the 'I' concept is inescapably exposed as a mental construction, when viewed from the formless awareness we are.
Over the last many years Mooji has been travelling to Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, North America, Argentina, Brasil, India, where he conducts Satsang meetings, Intensives and Retreats. He is ever open to meeting sincere seekers of truth, whatever their background.
Bhante Buddharakkhita: The Venerable Buddharakkhita was born and raised in Uganda. Meditating since 1993, he was ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk in 2002 by the late Sayadaw U Silananda. He teaches worldwide and in April 2005 founded the Uganda Buddhist Centre. It is the first Buddhist Center in Uganda. Bhante is the author of Planting Dhamma Seeds: The Emerging Buddhism in Africa. He is also a resident monk at the Bhavana Society Forest Monastery in West Virginia, USA.
Dharma Teacher Larry Ward (authorized to teach and ordained by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh): Larry Ward was deeply inspired by his association with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and has spent his life committed to non-violent social change, healing, and transformation on a global level. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Organizational Behavior and has worked for multinational and national corporations in organizational development as a consultant and executive coach for companies including: US Bank, Hewlett-Packard, and Albertsons, Inc. He also worked in 35 countries in his capacity as International Director of the Institute of Cultural Affairs and has been engaged in socio-economic development projects in urban and rural areas throughout the world. Larry Ward is an ordained Christian Minister and received Dharma Teacher Transmission in 2000 by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a leading proponent of Engaged Buddhism in the United States and leads retreats in mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism around the world (i.e. Vietnam, China, Korea, Canada, Mexico, France and the United States). On behalf of the Unified Buddhist Church, he helped to found Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California and is a trusted and valued advisor to his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. He has founded and led sanghas/congregations and residential lay communities in the U.S., provides pastoral care and counseling, officiates at weddings and memorial/funeral services, and mentors ministerial students and Zen priests in the Order of Interbeing. Larry Ward has served as spiritual educator and advisor as part of the Ecumenical team of clergy with Hospice of Santa Barbara Larry Ward is currently a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies with a major in Buddhism and his first book Love’s Garden: A Guide to Mindful Relationships, co-authored with his wife Peggy Rowe-Ward, Ph.D., has been published by Parallax Press in 2008. He is Director of The Lotus Institute, a non-profit religious and educational institution, and is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Claremont Graduate University where he has co-taught the course, “Working Mindfully with Marginalized Children and Youth” with Dr. Lourdes Arguellas. In his leisure time, Larry Ward enjoys playing golf and seeing movies.
Larry Ward on his current interests:
I am committed to offering mindfulness teachings, principles and practices to individuals, professionals and institutions with the aim of encouraging personal and collective healing and transformation in ways that enhance planetary social evolution. My current interest is in researching and publishing findings that reveal the importance of applied Buddhism in our post-modern era and its potential in shaping human cultural development. I am currently pursuing a case study on University programs that explore mindfulness research, training and practices. Meanwhile, I continue to be a resource for individuals and groups globally through the dharma programs of The Lotus Institute. These include retreats, seminars, broadcasting, publications and on-line education.
Larry Ward on his current interests:
I am committed to offering mindfulness teachings, principles and practices to individuals, professionals and institutions with the aim of encouraging personal and collective healing and transformation in ways that enhance planetary social evolution. My current interest is in researching and publishing findings that reveal the importance of applied Buddhism in our post-modern era and its potential in shaping human cultural development. I am currently pursuing a case study on University programs that explore mindfulness research, training and practices. Meanwhile, I continue to be a resource for individuals and groups globally through the dharma programs of The Lotus Institute. These include retreats, seminars, broadcasting, publications and on-line education.
Ryūmon Hilda Gutiérrez Baldoquín Sensei:
Ryūmon Hilda Gutiérrez Baldoquín Sense is of Afro-Cuban heritage which she proudly claims.
Before the age of twelve, Ryūmon (Hilda) Gutiérrez Baldoquín, Sensei wanted to be a priest. Proclaiming this with joyful abandon to the local priest at her Catholic school, he summarily dismissed her by patting her head and responding: “How sweet, but little girls are not born to be priests.” Internally assessing this man as a naturally misguided adult, she proceeded to live her life, following an unfolding path that led, almost forty years later, to her ordination as a Soto Zen Priest in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. Today, she is a Zen teacher and Dharma Heir of Zenkei Blanche Hartman Roshi, and founder of Dragon Gate Zen, “a temple without walls” whose mission is Transforming the world community through fearless intimacy and living compassion.
Ryūmon Hilda Gutiérrez Baldoquín Sense is of Afro-Cuban heritage which she proudly claims.
Before the age of twelve, Ryūmon (Hilda) Gutiérrez Baldoquín, Sensei wanted to be a priest. Proclaiming this with joyful abandon to the local priest at her Catholic school, he summarily dismissed her by patting her head and responding: “How sweet, but little girls are not born to be priests.” Internally assessing this man as a naturally misguided adult, she proceeded to live her life, following an unfolding path that led, almost forty years later, to her ordination as a Soto Zen Priest in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. Today, she is a Zen teacher and Dharma Heir of Zenkei Blanche Hartman Roshi, and founder of Dragon Gate Zen, “a temple without walls” whose mission is Transforming the world community through fearless intimacy and living compassion.
Sensei Merle Kydo Boyd: Sensei Kodo began sitting in 1985 when she saw a 12th century Chinese painting called "The Solitary Angler" in the book, The World of Zen, and immediately recognized herself in every aspect of the painting. After a few years of practicing alone at home with the guidance of Dharma books, she ventured out and found a sitting group led by Sister Janet Richardson. She received Jukai in 1994 and Priest Ordination in 1996 from Roshi Sandra Jishu Holmes. After Roshi Jishu's death, Kodo continued her practice with Roshi Egyoku, from whom she received Preceptor Transmission in 2002 and Dharma Transmission in March 2006.
Kodo is African-American and was raised in the deep South in a Christian home and community. During the years between leaving home and beginning the practice of Zen Buddhism, she had no particular religion. She has worked most of her life as a clinical social worker practicing psychotherapy and is now retired from that profession. She is married and has one daughter who lives in Texas.
Currently, Sensei Kodo serves a small sangha, the Lincroft Zen Sangha, in suburban Monmouth County, New Jersey. She is also active in interfaith explorations in her community.
Kodo is African-American and was raised in the deep South in a Christian home and community. During the years between leaving home and beginning the practice of Zen Buddhism, she had no particular religion. She has worked most of her life as a clinical social worker practicing psychotherapy and is now retired from that profession. She is married and has one daughter who lives in Texas.
Currently, Sensei Kodo serves a small sangha, the Lincroft Zen Sangha, in suburban Monmouth County, New Jersey. She is also active in interfaith explorations in her community.
Venerable Pannavati Bhikkhuni: Venerable Pannavati received Dharma Holder transmission, conferred by Roshi Bernie Glassman in the Zen Peacemakers lineage, flowing down from the Japanese lineage of his teacher Taizan Maezumi Roshi.
Ven. Pannavati, who is fully ordained in Theravada and Chan to give precepts and pass down those lineages, noted that this event marks full entry into life as an independent (but interconnected!) teacher in the Zen lineage. The ceremony took place in New York during the 20th anniversary "Street Retreat," where Bernie takes Zen Peacemaker participants to bear witness to and become one with people living on the street.
It was an important ceremony, because Bernie has been reshaping the traditional Dharma Transmisson ceremony into a "Five Buddha Families Recognition Ceremony" presenting the nature of the ceremony as a celebration and affirmation of maturity of practice within your own quality of being. Ven. Pannavati has been reshaping the traditional Theravadan monastic lifestyle to accommodate and improve the mindsets of 21st century society. This is also what the Buddha did in his day.
She is a former Christian pastor and has a doctorate in comparative religion. Pannavati’s insight comes not just from study, but from deep, personal commitment to practice and understanding of the central truths in the various spiritual traditions. She stands on the cutting edge of contemporary Buddhist issues, confident in the efficacy of the Dharma.
Ven. Pannavati, who is fully ordained in Theravada and Chan to give precepts and pass down those lineages, noted that this event marks full entry into life as an independent (but interconnected!) teacher in the Zen lineage. The ceremony took place in New York during the 20th anniversary "Street Retreat," where Bernie takes Zen Peacemaker participants to bear witness to and become one with people living on the street.
It was an important ceremony, because Bernie has been reshaping the traditional Dharma Transmisson ceremony into a "Five Buddha Families Recognition Ceremony" presenting the nature of the ceremony as a celebration and affirmation of maturity of practice within your own quality of being. Ven. Pannavati has been reshaping the traditional Theravadan monastic lifestyle to accommodate and improve the mindsets of 21st century society. This is also what the Buddha did in his day.
She is a former Christian pastor and has a doctorate in comparative religion. Pannavati’s insight comes not just from study, but from deep, personal commitment to practice and understanding of the central truths in the various spiritual traditions. She stands on the cutting edge of contemporary Buddhist issues, confident in the efficacy of the Dharma.
Jules Shuzen Harris Sensei: Jules Shuzen Harris is a Zen Sensei and member of the White Plum Asanga. Shuzen sensei founded Soji Zen Center located in Lansdowne, PA, to offer the community a contemporary Buddhist center providing instruction on Zen meditation, philosophy and contemplation techniques.
He is involved with local colleges, health organizations, and yoga groups offering dharma teaching to beginners who want to learn meditation, as well as to experienced practitioners of Zen Buddhism to strengthen their technique and continue training their minds. To that end, Shuzen also holds workshops at the Center, a weekly study group and every Sunday meditation and dharma talks. Shuzen is a member of the White Plum Asanga, The Zen Peacemakers Order, a study group at the Maezumi Institute and the American Zen Teachers Association.
Shuzen is a Soto priest who has been practicing Buddhism for more than 25 years. He started his Zen practice at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY under John Daido Loori Roshi and then moved west to Utah to study under Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi. In 2002 Shuzen received denkai (transmission of the precepts) from Genpo Roshi, Abbott of Kanzeon Zen Center. He received hoshi in 2006 and shiho (Dharma transmission ceremony) in 2007 from Pat Enkyo O’Hara Roshi and became her second dharma successor.
Shuzen also focuses on the relationship between Zen and the martial arts. Shuzen can be found at Soji Zen Center on Saturday mornings teaching Iaido. He holds black belts in Iaido (the art of drawing and cutting with a samurai sword) and Kendo (Japanese fencing). He has founded two Japanese swordsmanship schools in Albany, NY and Salt Lake City, UT.
Jules Shuzen Harris holds an Ed.D. with a concentration in applied human development. Dr. Harris is a psychotherapist at Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems in Upper Darby, PA. As a psychotherapist, he has found creative ways to synthesize Western psychology and Zen to achieve dramatic results with his patients.
He is involved with local colleges, health organizations, and yoga groups offering dharma teaching to beginners who want to learn meditation, as well as to experienced practitioners of Zen Buddhism to strengthen their technique and continue training their minds. To that end, Shuzen also holds workshops at the Center, a weekly study group and every Sunday meditation and dharma talks. Shuzen is a member of the White Plum Asanga, The Zen Peacemakers Order, a study group at the Maezumi Institute and the American Zen Teachers Association.
Shuzen is a Soto priest who has been practicing Buddhism for more than 25 years. He started his Zen practice at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY under John Daido Loori Roshi and then moved west to Utah to study under Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi. In 2002 Shuzen received denkai (transmission of the precepts) from Genpo Roshi, Abbott of Kanzeon Zen Center. He received hoshi in 2006 and shiho (Dharma transmission ceremony) in 2007 from Pat Enkyo O’Hara Roshi and became her second dharma successor.
Shuzen also focuses on the relationship between Zen and the martial arts. Shuzen can be found at Soji Zen Center on Saturday mornings teaching Iaido. He holds black belts in Iaido (the art of drawing and cutting with a samurai sword) and Kendo (Japanese fencing). He has founded two Japanese swordsmanship schools in Albany, NY and Salt Lake City, UT.
Jules Shuzen Harris holds an Ed.D. with a concentration in applied human development. Dr. Harris is a psychotherapist at Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems in Upper Darby, PA. As a psychotherapist, he has found creative ways to synthesize Western psychology and Zen to achieve dramatic results with his patients.
Gaylon Ferguson: Gaylon Ferguson grew up on a farm in strictly segregated East Texas. After moving east to graduate from the Phillips Exeter Academy, he studied philosophy and psychology at Yale University. There, Gaylon encountered D.T. Suzuki who confirmed "that it's not possible to learn Buddhist meditation entirely from a book." He dropped his studies and took up work on a radical Catholic fruit farm near Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Soon after reading Meditation in Action, Gaylon heard the Vidyadhara teach several summer seminars in Vermont. In 1973, after giving a "particularly panic-stricken and disorganized " open house talk, Gaylon joined Tail of the Tiger Buddhist Community (now Karme Choling) where he worked in the garden, set the tractor on fire, and took people into retreat. After attending the 1975 Vajradhatu Seminary, Gaylon taught briefly at The Naropa Institute, led a dathun at the now deceased Padma Jong, and finally returned to Karme Choling, first as a staff member in the practice and study department, and then as Executive Co-director. In 1979, Gaylon journeyed west again to serve as teacher-in-residence for the Berkeley Dharmadhatu and in 1983, he joined the Office of Three Yana Studies in Boulder.
Gaylon returned to Yale in 1987 to finish his undergraduate degree, this time in African Studies. In 1994, he was a Fulbright Fellow to Nigeria and completed a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology at Stanford University two years later. After several years teaching cultural anthropology at the University of Washington, Gaylon moved to Karme Choling as teacher in residence through 2005. For the Spring Semester of 2006, Acharya Ferguson was Visiting Professor in Religious Studies at Naropa University. His article, "Making Friends with Ourselves" (from the collection Dharma, Color, and Culture) was selected for inclusion in The Best Buddhist writing: 2005. In the fall of 2006, Gaylon will joined the core faculty in Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa.
Soon after reading Meditation in Action, Gaylon heard the Vidyadhara teach several summer seminars in Vermont. In 1973, after giving a "particularly panic-stricken and disorganized " open house talk, Gaylon joined Tail of the Tiger Buddhist Community (now Karme Choling) where he worked in the garden, set the tractor on fire, and took people into retreat. After attending the 1975 Vajradhatu Seminary, Gaylon taught briefly at The Naropa Institute, led a dathun at the now deceased Padma Jong, and finally returned to Karme Choling, first as a staff member in the practice and study department, and then as Executive Co-director. In 1979, Gaylon journeyed west again to serve as teacher-in-residence for the Berkeley Dharmadhatu and in 1983, he joined the Office of Three Yana Studies in Boulder.
Gaylon returned to Yale in 1987 to finish his undergraduate degree, this time in African Studies. In 1994, he was a Fulbright Fellow to Nigeria and completed a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology at Stanford University two years later. After several years teaching cultural anthropology at the University of Washington, Gaylon moved to Karme Choling as teacher in residence through 2005. For the Spring Semester of 2006, Acharya Ferguson was Visiting Professor in Religious Studies at Naropa University. His article, "Making Friends with Ourselves" (from the collection Dharma, Color, and Culture) was selected for inclusion in The Best Buddhist writing: 2005. In the fall of 2006, Gaylon will joined the core faculty in Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa.
Sister Jewel (in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh): From an interview with Sister Jewel: "Sister Jewel shares her personal path to Mindfulness and becoming a nun in, "Together We Are One". "I learned about Thay from a friend, when I was attending Stanford. I read one of the smallest books he wrote, on walking meditation. I started practicing it around the lake by campus. Then I learned about a summer retreat at Plum Village. It was a one-month retreat but I stayed for four months. I began to seriously consider monastic life. I grew up in a Christian family, so I was use to doing things with a lot of people. The monastery was a very supportive experience for me. I was inspired living with people who had a sense of purpose and desire to serve, to help relieve suffering. That was something I was looking for my whole life, so coming into a community was a very natural choice for me."
"Together We Are One," urges readers to honor and connect with their ancestors to heal the past of sufferings and prejudices. "The practice of Mindfulness took me back to my roots in Denver. To know who I am, I have to know my family better," says Sister Jewel, who didn't see much of her mother after her parents divorced. "I realized there was a hole there, and I needed to fill it."
Living as a Buddhist nun has helped her heal from rejection and discrimination she felt growing up as a biracial child. However, it wasn't easy for her to adjust to others in the monastery.
"Of course there were people I saw early on who were difficult to get along with. When you live in a community, you can't choose who you are living with, and people you have difficulty with you can't avoid them," says Sister Jewel. "You work with them, you see them at meals, and in the bathroom. So you have to figure out how to live with them, and accept them, and grow in your heart. I remember the first few months of being a nun, I had expected it to be very peaceful very deeply spiritual. All of my habits and judgments were coming up in a way they hadn't come up before. I thought this isn't supposed to be happening. A few months later, I realized, this is exactly what is suppose to be happening.
How can you transform these things if you don't see them and if you don't create a space for them to arise? I got to see this monastic life is not rosy, it's real work. It's digging deep into my consciousness to see what garbage is there that needs to be transformed into flowers. I had to accept who I really am and to work with that, and transform the things that need to be transformed to grow into peace, and harmony."
PART II of this series may be found HERE
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DISCLAIMER: I cannot personally vouch for the level of competency, skill, ethical nor moral standards of all these teachers. Inclusion in this post should not be viewed as a blanket endorsement of the teacher nor of his or her abilities. Before studying with any teacher it is wise to check with the Beloved Community (local Sangha) in order to discover how the teacher is regarded in the local community and all other relevant communities.
"Together We Are One," urges readers to honor and connect with their ancestors to heal the past of sufferings and prejudices. "The practice of Mindfulness took me back to my roots in Denver. To know who I am, I have to know my family better," says Sister Jewel, who didn't see much of her mother after her parents divorced. "I realized there was a hole there, and I needed to fill it."
Living as a Buddhist nun has helped her heal from rejection and discrimination she felt growing up as a biracial child. However, it wasn't easy for her to adjust to others in the monastery.
"Of course there were people I saw early on who were difficult to get along with. When you live in a community, you can't choose who you are living with, and people you have difficulty with you can't avoid them," says Sister Jewel. "You work with them, you see them at meals, and in the bathroom. So you have to figure out how to live with them, and accept them, and grow in your heart. I remember the first few months of being a nun, I had expected it to be very peaceful very deeply spiritual. All of my habits and judgments were coming up in a way they hadn't come up before. I thought this isn't supposed to be happening. A few months later, I realized, this is exactly what is suppose to be happening.
How can you transform these things if you don't see them and if you don't create a space for them to arise? I got to see this monastic life is not rosy, it's real work. It's digging deep into my consciousness to see what garbage is there that needs to be transformed into flowers. I had to accept who I really am and to work with that, and transform the things that need to be transformed to grow into peace, and harmony."
PART II of this series may be found HERE
____________________________________________________________________
DISCLAIMER: I cannot personally vouch for the level of competency, skill, ethical nor moral standards of all these teachers. Inclusion in this post should not be viewed as a blanket endorsement of the teacher nor of his or her abilities. Before studying with any teacher it is wise to check with the Beloved Community (local Sangha) in order to discover how the teacher is regarded in the local community and all other relevant communities.
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