Urban Dharma the Book

Ven. Kusala Bhikshu is an American Buddhist monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center (IBMC) in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. He is well-known for presenting traditional Buddhist teachings in a highly practical, modern format tailored for Westerners.

• Discovery: After undergoing a major personal shift in the late 1970s, he discovered the IBMC through a phone book advertisement. Attending a dharma talk by Shinzen Young completely transformed his trajectory.

• Training: He moved into the center full-time in 1993, initially taking the eight postulant vows.
• Ordination: In 1996, he received full ordination as a Bhikshu (monk) under the guidance of Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma. Because the IBMC was founded by the Vietnamese Zen Master Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân, his final ordination followed the Vietnamese Zen (Thiền) tradition, where he was given the name Thích Tâm-Thiện ("Heavenly Heart Mind").

• Campus Ministry: Spent 11 years as the director of the University Buddhist Association at UCLA and served as a Buddhist chaplain on the UCLA Medical Center Spiritual Care Committee.

• Law Enforcement: Served as the first Buddhist police chaplain for the Garden Grove Police Department from 2000 to 2007.
• Juvenile Hall: Buddhist Volunteer for the Los Angeles Juvenile Hall from 1996 to 2000.
• State Prison: Buddhist Volunteer for Los Angeles County State Prison for Men, Lancaster CA 1995.

• Interfaith Dialogue: Longtime participant in the Buddhist-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles.
• Digital Outreach: His Website UrbanDharma.org is a online repository of Buddhist texts, articles and more.

Kusala

Kusala Bhikshu

In the context of contemporary literature, Urban Dharma: 20 Years of Buddhist Stories from an L.A. City Monk emerges as a deep exploration of its core themes, blending complex plot development with a profound understanding of the human condition. The author’s voice is original and confident, weaving a network of events that are both unpredictable and rewarding. It is rare to find a work that harmonizes high-stakes tension with quiet, reflective moments so seamlessly.

The depth of themes in Urban Dharma: 20 Years of Buddhist Stories from an L.A. City Monk provides a sturdy foundation for its narrative arcs, encouraging a level of engagement that goes beyond casual reading. Readers will find themselves pondering the choices made by the characters, finding parallels in their own lives while being carried away to a unique reality. The structural integrity of the book is outstanding.

Furthermore, the delivery of the prose in Urban Dharma: 20 Years of Buddhist Stories from an L.A. City Monk ensures that the reading experience is smooth and uninterrupted, allowing the core messages to take center stage. The balance between dialogue and narration is handled with precision, ensuring that it feels authentic and the conversations feel organic. This level of writing is indicative of a deep respect for the reader’s intelligence.

Ultimately, Urban Dharma: 20 Years of Buddhist Stories from an L.A. City Monk delivers an immersive narrative that stays with the reader. - Book Review

book cover
Urban Dharma in Paperback, Kindle and Nook
Buy @ Amazon /// Barnes and Noble

Rebbeca

Co-Author Rebecca Wilson

"The making of Urban Dharma the Book" Amazon Preview Link - Click Here
From the Forward by Rebecca Wilson, Co-Author.

Contents
Introduction - The Journey
Chapter 1 - Police Chaplain Years / 2000-2007
Chapter 2 - Prison Year / 1995
Chapter 3 - Juvenile Hall Years / 1996 - 2000
Chapter 4 - Hospital Years / 2000 - 2012

The Urban Dharma Book Event Audio - The Shantideva Center in Brooklyn NY - CLICK HERE

Mary Rourke's February 18, 1997, Los Angeles Times article "Zen, USA" examines the evolution of American Buddhism, highlighting how practitioners adapted ancient traditions to modern life. The piece features Rev. Kusala, an American-born monk known for his "Engaged Buddhism" approach involving social activism and community work. - Article Link - Click Here

Cal Award

In 2001 Kusala Bhikshu received a Certificate of Recognition from assemblyman
Luis Correa of the California State Assembly for his Volunteer work
as a police chaplain with the Garden Grove Police Department.

Police Chaplains

Kusala with the Garden Grove Volunteer Police Chaplains

Congress

In 2001 Kusala Bhikshu received a Certificate of Special Congressional
Recognition for his Volunteer work as a police chaplain with the
Garden Grove Police Department.

Probation

In December of 1998 Kusala was awarded the "Good Samaritan of the Year"
award for his volunteer work in juvenile hall by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Probation Award award

mayor
Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Work
with the Wilshire Center Interfaith Council - 2005
Photo - Kusala and Bell @ Meditation Center

kusala

"Customers find the content enlightening, inspiring, and meaningful. They say the author seamlessly integrates profound lessons into the stories. Readers also appreciate the conversational writing style and honesty." - Amazon.com

Reviews:

"I'm finding your book both interesting and well written, and I like the way you gently weave in your Buddhist reflections on what you're seeing or experiencing." - Fr. William Skudlarek, OSB, Secretary General of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue

"It’s very well written and insightful. It feels intimate and authentic. I particularly like the balance of Buddhist thinking and humor." - Kev R.

Dear Rev. Kusala, As the nearest large bookshop is in Kuala Lumpur, about 100 miles away, your book is now in my Kindle library. Thank you... With three deep bows - Brian G.

UCLA Buddhist
The UCLA Buddhhist Club

"Good morning! I just wanted to let you know that I finished the last page of your book, and it was such a beautiful read. Truth be told, I couldn’t put it down. It gave me a lot to think about, and it was also just a darn good yarn. Thank you for writing it" - Kojun

"This book is good! I'm enjoying it... I've had to put the book down and reflect on simple but profound sentences like this, "It reminded me that the seed of ignorance and delusion are carried deeply within us, and have potential to take root at anytime" (page 68). The book provokes contemplation and reflection... Thank you!" - Horton M.

Vibe
The Vibe TV Show with Sinbad, speaking about
volunteer work at juvenile hall - June, 1998

"I read your memoir; what a great read! Reading it was almost as if you were having a deeply absorbing talk with a good friend. The last section hit me the most with the young lady dying of cancer feeling angry and trapped by the circumstances... I like how you just kept showing up despite the uncomfortableness of it and kept telling the truth even though she resisted it, except at the end when she seemed to be at peace... One of the last scenes of the book I loved was when you were in the backyard feeling part of eternity at that moment, feeling separate but somehow together with others out there and at ease with the profound harmony of the way things are -- sadness and happiness all part of the same elaborate painting." - Holly P.

Lancaster Jail
A 10 Page Preview from Chapter 2 - The Prison Year 1995 in PDF - Click Here

Portola High School - Irvine, CA

"I have been following Kusala Bhikshu on Facebook for a couple years and was interested to read more about his life as a Buddhist monk who lives in a meditation center in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles.

The book is chronologically divided into chapters that cover aspects of his service work over the last two decades, time spent living and working at the mediation center (with people and cats) as well as volunteering as a police chaplain, a prison cleric, a speaker and teacher in a juvenile hall and detention camp, and a hospital chaplain. Sharing his experiences, his honesty and wit are as refreshing as his commentary is insightful.

Rebecca Wilson helped Kusala write the book and has done a wonderful job of interweaving his life story with the stories in a consistent, conversational voice." - Ron J.

black boat

Publisher: Black Boat Media LLC
Co-author/Contributor: Rebecca Wilson
Publication Date: April 2024
Formats: Paperback and eBook
Pages: 230

A big Thank You to Rev. Bonnie Rose for the Sunday book interview
and signing at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living / 2024

Urban Dharma is a multi-platform Buddhist educational resource founded by Kusala Bhikshu. The UrbanDharma.org Website is a comprehensive archive of Buddhist articles, sutras, and photos. Kusala Bhikshu's Dharma talks share Buddhist teachings through a "non-technical" lens of humor and personal stories.