Monks and Dharma Teachers at the IBMC

Rev. Karuna | Rev. Shanti | Rev. Sunya | Br. Abhaya | Rev. Tri Ratna Priya | Rev. Kusala
Ani Chitta | Rev. Vajra | Rev. Jñana | Rev. Ksanti | Rev. Sraddha | Rev. Hanasi | Rev. Candana

Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma took full ordination in 1976, becoming one of the first American women to take bhikkuni ordination in the United States. She met her teacher, Thich Thien-An, and began her studies of Buddhism in 1969. She was one of the founding members of the International Buddhist Meditation Center.

Ven. Karuna has been the Abbess of IBMC since Ven. Thien-An died in 1980. She oversees the running of the Center, performs ceremonies, teaches, and is involved in Interfaith work and InterBuddhist work. She is a past president of the American Buddhist Congress and the College of Buddhist Studies. She serves as vice-president of the Buddhist Sangha Council and was a founding president of Sakyadhita, the International Association of Buddhist Women. Ven. Karuna is profiled in Meetings with Remarkable Women: Buddhist Teachers in America, by Lenore Friedman.

Ven. Karuna is an active and honored member of the Buddhist community in Los Angeles. As a woman, in a religion in which some traditions don't fully ordain women, one might expect her to have less influence. That is not the case. She is highly regarded by monks in all traditions. Ven. Karuna has never allowed gender to make a difference when there is dharma work to be done.

Read the chapter by Rev. Karuna from a recent book edited by Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Buddhism through American Women's Eyes.

Ven. Havanpola Shanti was born in Sri Lanka and entered the monastery when he was 13 years old. He was ordained as a bhikkhu at the age of 20. He is the Vice-Abbot of IBMC and oversees the facilities. He also gives dharma talks, works with students and is involved in InterBuddhist and InterReligious activities.

After attending the University of Kelanaya, where he received his B.A. in Buddhist Studies, Ven. Shanti returned to his home temple and finished his studies to be a teacher. Along with eleven other teachers, he trained 150 young men and eventually took the position of vice-principal. Later he became the principal at a dharma school and held that position for six years.

After spending a year at a temple in Korea, Rev. Shanti came to Los Angeles and the IBMC. When asked whether he preferred Los Angeles or Sri Lanka, he replied, "Both places have good and bad, but it is very peaceful in the village where I grew up and very rushed here in the city."

Rev. Tri Ratna Priya Karuna (transmission name Thich Tam-Tue), a fully ordained bhikkhu, is an expert in Buddhist iconography and often displays the Buddhist art works he collects and restores. He is not resident at IBMC, but is very involved in the activities at the Center, where he gives dharma talks, teaches classes, and participates in ceremonies.

Both of Rev. Tam-Tue's parents came from conservative Protestant Christian backgrounds. His mother's grandfather was a circuit-riding Presbyterian minister. During his early years, he received religious instruction in the Episcopal tradition. He attended Princeton and Cornell, earning a diploma in Music and then went on to Columbia University where he got both B.S. and M.A. degrees in Art History.

While he was at Columbia, Rev. Tam-Tue joined a Unitarian-Universalist group that honors the teachings of all masters and prophets throughout the ages. He realized that the Buddhist path was the one he would pursue. And, seeing that the ideals and values of a religion are expressed in its art began his interest in finding and restoring Buddhist art. He has visited many of the museums, temples and holy sites associated with Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka, Java, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Tibet, Korea and Japan.

After having been a Buddhist in his heart for many years, Rev. Tam-Tue became formally associated with the IBMC and the College of Buddhist Studies. After years of study, he received his full ordination in December of 1994. In 2000 he retired from IBMC, but is still active in IBMC prison correspondence program.

Rev. Kusala Ratana Karuna (Thich Tam-Thien) is a resident Buddhist monk at IBMC. His interest in meditation brought him to the IBMC in 1980. He took refuge and accepted the five precepts of a lay Buddhist in 1981, and was given the Dharma name Kusala (skillful). In 1983, with a growing interest in early Buddhism, he began his studies with Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara at the College of Buddhist Studies. In 1994 he took his novice monk vows and in 1996, received full ordination as a Bhikkhu (Monk) with Ven. Dr. Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma serving as two of the ordaining masters.

Kusala Bhikshu is a member of the Buddhist- Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles, Buddhist Chaplain for the University Religious Conference at U.C.L.A and director of the University Buddhist Association at UCLA. In 2000 Kusala was invited to join the UCLA Medical Center Spiritual Care Committee.

In addition to his other duties, Rev. Kusala was a Buddhist volunteer for four yeas teaching Buddhism, and Meditation at the Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall. Before his work in juvenile hall, he was a volunteer at the Los Angeles County State Prison for Men teaching Buddhism and Meditation to Buddhist inmates.

November of 2000 marked the beginning of his new position as the first Buddhist ride-along volunteer police chaplain in Garden Grove. On November 16, 2001, Rev. Kusala received a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly, and a certificate of special congressional recognition from the United States Congress for his work with the Garden Grove Police Department.

Ani Kelsang Chitta / Bhikshuni

Ani Kelsang Chitta was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1986, she received her undergraduate degrees in Special Education, and Child Development from Central State University, in Wilberforce, Ohio. She moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and began her Teaching career in Preschool Education. In 1993 she started her own Private school for physically and mentally Challenged Preschoolers.

Looking for a meditation practice to supplement her spiritual path she came across Tibetan Buddhism. Feeling the pull from past karmic connections, she felt this was what she needed in her life, as she continued in the Tibetan practice, she decided to take Ordination. In 1996 she was ordained in the Tibetan tradition as a Getsulma, and in 2004 received her Bhikshuni vows in the Vietnamese Zen tradition at the I.B.M.C. grand ordination... Ani Chitta came to live at IBMC in August of 2000.

In 2005 Ani Kelsang Chitta moved to Sri Lanka to work in an all girls orphanage, where she taught basic computer skills and English. She returned to IBMC in 2006. She made the journey back to Indiana later in 2006 to help her ailing father, and returned to IBMC in March of 2008.

Rev. Chong Do / Bhikshuni

Rev. Chong Do is a resident Bhikshuni at the IBMC, she received her full ordination from Rev. Karuna Dharma at the 2004 IBMC Grand Ordination. She assists Rev. Karuna and helps around the center with her many skills.

Rev. Vajra / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Vajra Karuna is a 25-precept I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher who lives and works outside the Center. He teaches IBMC classes, gives dharma talks and is available for pastoral counseling. His B.A. and M.A. degrees are in anthropology with specialties in linguistics, Oriental cultures and folk religion. He teaches at both the elementary and the college level.

Politically active in issues concerning the gay community, he is the founder and first president of the Gay Teachers of Los Angeles. He was also a founding member and first vice-president of the ACLU Gay Rights chapter and a liason between the police department and the gay community in North Hollywood.

Rev. Vajra's interest in Buddhism dates back to his teen years. He took upasika precepts in 1981, sramanera precepts in 1992, and Dharma teacher vows in 1997; all at the IBMC. He has been the teacher for the Gay Zen Group of Los Angeles since 1986.

Rev. Vajra is a published poet. In addition to his studies of various cultures, he has travelled extensively throughout the world.

Rev. Jñana / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Jñana Karuna Vajra was born in Denver, grew up in Kansas, attended college in Washington, D.C. and graduate school at Columbia University and U.S.C. He has worked as a librarian at U.S.C. in a variety of assignments for the past 35 years. He is active in professional associations and as a volunteer for ONE Institute & Archives, the country's largest gay and lesbian archive and library collection. He is an avid collector of frog artifacts and devoted to reading, travel and opera. Committed to the Zen tradition, with interest in both Soto and Rinzai. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher precepts in 2001, and full I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher vows in 2004.

Rev. Ksanti / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Ksanti Karuna was born Tom O'Connor in Syracuse, New York in 1946. He received a B.S. degree in Drama from Syracuse University. He is a marketing director for non-profits. He has worked for the LA Philharmonic and the NY Philharmonic. He is a board member of the Robert Chesley Foundation's Board and is an active participant in IBMC’s Prison correspondence program. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August of 2002, and full I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher vows in 2004.

Rev. Sraddha / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Sraddha Karuna was born Victor Bumbalo in Utica, New York in . He is a graduate of Bennington College, receiving an M.A. in Theatre. He is an award winning playwright, receiving the Ingram Merrill award for play writing. Among his plays are Adam and the Experts, Niagara Falls, What are Tuesdays Like, and Show. He has also written for television including episodes for NYPD Blue and HBO’s Spawn, Relativity and a number of Movies of the Week. He also co-produced the Three Dollar Bill Theatre in New York.He was founder and board member of the Robert Chesley Foundation, and was a team leader for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York Today he is an active member of IBMC’s prisoner correspondence program. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August of 2002, and full I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher vows in 2004.

Rev. Hanasi / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Abhaya Hanasi Karuna was born Kathy Whyte in 1962 in Long View, Texas and raised in Los Angeles. She got her B.A. in Journalism from Texas Southern University and served in the U.S. army for six years. She did a lot of social work in Texas, including rescuing child prostitutes from the strees of Houston. She has been educating adults her entire life and currently is tutoring students at Southwest Los Angeles College. She is also working on her M.A. in Creative Writing at CSULA. She received her Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August of 2002, and full I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher vows in 2004.

Rev. Maha Candana / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Maha Candana Karuna was born Sande Simpson in Santa Monica and traveled the US as a Navy brat before returning to Westminster, California, to finish public school.  After obtaining a BA at Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood and an MA in Theatre Design at the University of Denver, she has worn a variety of hats, including house painter, scenic artist, editor and theatre/non-profit manager, but has found happy career rebirth as a bookseller.  She has identified with Zen Buddhism since 1963 and remains committed to intra-Buddhist/inter-religious dialogue.   As a Zen Dharma teacher (Novice 2006 / Full 2008) with a special interest in peacemaking/peacekeeping, she is an active member of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and serves on the caretaking council for Peace is Every Step – LA.

Rev. Sunya / Zen Dharma Teacher

Rev. Sunya Karuna was born Steven Scott Oswalt in 1956 in Hutchinson Kansas. He joined the Navy at 17 as a hospital corpsman, and worked for a few years as a bone identifer at the La Brea Tar Pits in LA. He received a BA in Fine Arts and began teaching at CSULA, among other places, including a year at Chino Womans Prison and worked as a telescope operator at Mt. Wilson Observatory for a few years. He started tattooing in '89 at Sunset Strip Tattoo and continued there for 12 years, found Buddha, and met his new wife Marilyn. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August of 2002, and full I.B.M.C. Zen Dharma teacher vows in 2004. After taking some years off, he has resumed painting, exploring color and Buddhist iconography.

Doug Solomon / IBMC Residential Manager / Brother

Doug Solomon (Br. Abhaya Singa) has lived at the IBMC for over ten years, and the last few years has worked in the IBMC office as the Residential Manager.

IBMC is unique among spiritual communities because all residents do not follow the same spiritual path. Rather, our residents reflect the diversity of the city, the diversity of our world. Although most are American-born, they represent many different heritages, subcultures and ethnic groups. For more information on the IBMC Residential Program please contact Doug at... Doug@ibmc.info