Ven. Kusala Bhikshu (Thich Tam-Thien) is an American born Bhikshu (monk) ordained in the Zen Tradition of Vietnam.

In 1979 Kusala became interested in Meditation, and found his way to the International Buddhist Meditation Center. In 1981 he took refuge, and accepted the five precepts of a lay Buddhist, and was given the name Kusala (skillful). In 1983 with a growing interest in Early Buddhism he began his studies with the Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara at the College of Buddhist Studies, Los Angeles.

In 1994 Kusala took novice vows, and was given the Dharma name Kusala Ratana Karuna (skillful jewel of compassion). In 1996 he received full ordination as a Bhikshu, and was given the name Thich Tam-Thien (heavenly heart mind) with the Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara, and the Ven. Karuna Dharma as two of his ordaining masters. Along with Kusala's Bhikshu ordination he received a B.A. in Buddhist Studies, from the College of Buddhist Studies in Los Angeles.

Rev. Kusala lives and works at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Korea town section of Los Angeles. He cares for the grounds with the Vice Abbot Ven. Shanti, and facilitates meditation, and discussion groups. He continues to give presentations at local high schools, colleges, and local churches on Buddhism and social action. Kusala is the web-master for International Buddhist Meditation Center, as well as his own site UrbanDharma.org

In addition to his other duties Kusala Bhikshu gave presentations in the Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall on Buddhism and meditation for four years, and for a year taught blues harmonica at a juvenile probation camp in Malibu, CA.  In December of 1998 Kusala was given the "Good Samaritan of the Year" award for his work in juvenile hall by the Los Angeles County Probation Department. Before his work in juvenile hall and the probation camp, he spent one year as a volunteer at the Los Angeles County State Prison for men.

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

Kusala has been featured in several Los Angeles Times articles: "Zen, USA" (2/18/1997), "Soul Searching" (6/2/1998), "Biding our Time" (11/15/2001), and "Monks Get the Joke Too" (4/29/2003). In December of 1997 Kusala and his motorcycle were on the cover of the U.C.L.A. publication, Pacific Ties. In June of 1998 he appeared on the television show "Vibe" with Sinbad (UPN network), and spoke about his work in Juvenile Hall. In 1999, 2001, and May 2002 he was a guest on the show "Life and Times" (KCET... public television). In April of 2000 Kusala was featured in a report on "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" (KCET... public television) entitled... "Teaching Religion in Schools." The UCLA Bruin in Jauuary, 2003 featured Kusala in "Students Resurrect Campus Buddhism."

June 2009 - Ven. Kusala was invited by Dhammacakratra to be the key note speaker at the DhammaCakraTra LA Vesak Day Celebration (Buddha's Birthday) held at the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery, the title of his talk was, "Why Buddhism."
The end of June found Kusala speaking at "Against the Stream" and the "International Buddhist Education Center" in Westminster, CA.

May 2009 - Kusala gave talks at Cal Poly Pomona, Chadwick School, the U.U. Church of Ventura, the Unity Church of Ventura and he officiated the wedding of Ryan and Bonnie in Westlake Village. He spoke once again to the members of the Council of Asian Pacific Theology, this time in Seattle Washington on "Buddhism in America, the Urban Experience."

April 2009 - Kusala was invited to speak to 5th and 6th graders at the Brawerman Elementary School on 'Basic Buddhism.'

March 2009 -  Was a busy month for Kusala he spoke at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Palm Desert, 'Against the Stream / Buddhist Meditation Society' in Los Angeles and 'Insight LA'... And at Northwood High School, Corona Del Mar High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

February 2009 - Kusala gave talk's at Bishop Montgomery High School, to Mary's Circle at the First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach on basic Buddhism and St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, CA as part of an inter-religious panel on "Death and Dying."

January 2009 - Found Rev. Kusala speaking to the Monte Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Montclair, CA on "Buddhism and Social Justice."

November 2008 - Rev. Kusala was invited to speak to the Rotary Club of Glendale on his community service work and being a Buddhist monk.

November 2008 - Kusala was invited to be part of a panel discussion sponsored by The Bellarmine Forum, his topic was, "What it means to be a member of a minority religion?"

October 2008 - Rev. Kusala was a featured presenter at a weekend of Buddhist/Christian Dialogue sponsored by the Council of Pacific Asian Theology in San Francisco, the title of Kusala's talk was, "Buddhism in America the Urban Experience."

May 2008 - Found Rev. Kusala at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, home of the late Thomas Merton. He was attending the Gethsemani 3 / Monasticism and the Environment conference with Buddhist/Catholic monks and nuns from around the world... A statement was produced adding a monastic voice to the global dialogue.

December 2007 - With ever increasing commitments, travel and weekly Dharma talks, Rev. Kusala stepped down as volunteer ride-along Buddhist Chaplain for the Garden Grove Police Department after seven years of service.

November 2007 - Found Kusala at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, one of the oldest Jewish Temples in Los Angeles, speaking on basic Buddhism - Web Page.

July 2007 - Rev. Kusala was invited to St. John's Abbey in Minnesota to present at the 2007 Monastic Institute Conference on "What it means to be a Buddhist." Kusala's presentation at St. John's Abbey in MP3 - Part 1 / Part 2.

March 2007 - Kusala added a Video Page to Urban Dharma. On March 30, Dharma Grass made it's debut at the One Spirit Peace Concert... Dharma Grass is a folk group made up of Kusala, Michelle and Mark.

January 2007 - Found Kusala back at Loyola Marymount University teaching a five week extension class on the "Buddhist Eightfold Path."

December 2006 - Kusala was invited to be on a religious panel at the 'Celebration of Oneness Gathering' held in the Pasadena Convention Center discussing, "Oneness Across Religious Barriers."

September 2006 - Kusala was invited to teach an extension class at Loyola Marymount University on "Integrating Buddhist Practices Into Everyday Life." October 2006 found Kusala in Collegeville, Minnesota at "Monks in the West II" speaking on, "Why Buddhist Monks are Celibate."

April 2006 - Rev. Kusala was featured in a 'History Channel' documentary titled "Heaven, Beyond the Grave," Kusala spoke on Buddhist heaven and nirvana. Also In April... He Preformed a wedding in Big Sur, California and was part of a religious panel speaking on Buddhism in America at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in downtown Los Angeles, California.

March 2006 - Kusala did a two part video interview with Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai and Magic Bell Productions for their weekly TV program "The Buddhist Way of Life," available for free download at: Urban Dharma Video.

October 2005 - Kusala's Podcast "Urban Dharma" became available on iTunes and his web site Urban Dharma at: www.DharmaTalks.info.

June 2005 - Kusala Bhikshu was invited to speak as part of a religious panel to the UCLA Department of Social Welfare Field Instructors on "The Interface of Spirituality and Social Justice." In December of 2005 Kusala was again part of the "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine: "The Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer" conference, this time in Boston.

April 2005 - Kusala was in Santa Fe, New Mexico giving a workshop and participating on a religious panel for the "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine: "The Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer" conference. May found Rev. Kusala at the 'City of Hope' speaking to seminary students on "Buddhism and Patient Health Care."

January 2005 - Kusala Bhikshu was awarded the Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation for his work with the Wilshire Center Interfaith Council of Los Angeles.

October 2004 - Found Rev. Kusala at the first 'Monks in the West' gathering of Buddhist and Catholic monastic men. In December of 2004 Kusala gave a presentation and workshop on 'A Buddhist Approach to Patient Health Care' at the "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine: "The Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer" conference in Boston, sponsored by Harvard Medical School and The George Washington University.

November 2003 - Kusala gave a presentation and workshop on 'Forgiveness in Buddhism' at the "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine: The Importance of Forgiveness" conference in Boston, sponsored by Harvard Medical School and The George Washington University.

October 2003 - Brought Kusala together with other clergy on an interreligious panel to discuss "Pain & Suffering at the End of Life," at the '5th Annual Pain Management & Palliative Care Conference' sponsored by the City of Hope and held in Huntington Beach, California.

April 2003 - Sr. Mary Margaret Funk OSB, executive director of MID (Monastic Interreligious Dialogue) joined with Rev. Kusala in historic New Harmony, Indiana to lead 40 participants through a week-long Benedictine Experience "Benedict's Dharma 2" based on the book "Benedict's Dharma".

March 2003 - Found Kusala in Los Angeles as a guest speaker at; "A Spirituality and End-of-Life Care Conference," sponsored by Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center's Palliative Care and Spiritual Care Departments, and in Indianapolis, Indiana as a guest presenter at the "Spirituality & Healing in Medicine: A Multi-Cultural Approach" conference, sponsored by Harvard Medical School and the "Mind/Body Medical Institute" and The George Washington University and the "The George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health".

November 2000 - Marked the beginning of his new position as the first Buddhist ride-along volunteer police chaplain in Garden Grove. On November 16, 2001 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.

March 2000 - Kusala ended his volunteer work at Central Juvenile Hall, and accepted an invitation from the Garden Grove Police Department to become a police chaplain. Meditation, and yoga are still being taught at Central Juvenile hall thanks to the dedicated effort of various Buddhist volunteers and yoga teachers.

November 1998 - Kusala was a delegate to the World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in Sydney Australia. In June of 1999 he assisted the Ven. Tenzin Kacho, and Rev. Meido with the 5th Annual Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering held at Shasta Abbey. August of 2000 Kusala, and Dr. Michael Kerze gave presentations detailing the Los Angeles Buddhist- Catholic Dialogue, at the international conference of The Society of Buddhist-Christian Studies in Tacoma Washington.

Kusala Bhikshu International Buddhist Meditation Center 928 S. New Hampshire Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006

You can support Kusala's work with a donation to UrbanDharma.org