Members
(NOT A COMPLETE LIST)
News from Sangha Members
News from Sangha Members
- Benjamin ("Ben") Madril (Samatha) paroled this year (2015) and is doing wonderfully, very connected with family, and with a permanent smile on his face.
- W. Tad Rollins (Passaddhi) paroled last year (2014) and is beginning his new life.
- David ("Monk") Ros (Prasangika) doing great since his release, living close to his mother and siblings, working hard, and now has a wife and beautiful son, Solomon.
- Vinh ("Tiger") Tu (Bhava) successfully overcame many hurdles and obstacles of the system that were thrown this way, remains happy and very centered and productive.
- Juan Carlos ("JC") Cifuentes (Arya) doing very well in Colombia close to his family, runs his own business, and practices very regularly with his Buddhist girlfriend.
- Robert ("Bobby") Williams (Vayama) died in his cell at Lancaster prison, right after Rev. Kshanti received a long letter from him that moved her deeply, which reflected his clear awareness, peace, and an absolutely amazing spiritual attainment. Three days after his death he paid a Bardo visit to his best friend, Hai Hong, and another one to Rev. Kshanti on the same day, at 5:00 a.m.
- Mitchell ("Drifter") Kane (Samyama) paroled in 1999 to begin again.
- Christian Branscombe (Satya) received a commutation of his Life Without Parole sentence in 2020, and is dedicating his life to reconciliation and restorative justice, working at Healing Dialogue and Action.
- Cole Bienek (Vajra) was granted parole in April 2020, and is in transition toward working as a substance abuse counselor.
- Aaron Mercado (Prabhakari) was granted parole in 2018, and is happily and quietly living and working in Los Angeles.
- Kenneth Glaude (Ahimsa) was granted parole in 2016, is engaged to be married, and is working and living in San Francisco.
- James DeBacco (Bala) was granted parole in 2017, is happily married, living and working in Los Angeles.
Teachers
Teachers
Abbess
Abbess
Rev. Kshanti (a.k.a Su Co Thich Tu Nhân)
Secular Name: Maria Cristina Beato-Lanz
Participating teachers
Participating teachers
- The Venerable Thich An Giao, Roshi - Desert Zen Center
- Bhante Suhitananda Dharma, aka Ven. Thich An Duc (died December 28, 2013 -- see memorial page)
- Rev. Nagacitta, aka Ven. Thich Tam Hue - Desert Zen Center (Died May 13, 2016)
- Penelope (Luminous Heart) Thompson - ZCLA
- Wayne (Gojitsu) Snodgrass - Zen Center Los Angeles
- Quyen Do - Co-founder, Maple Village
- Gary (Koan) Janka - Zen Center Los Angeles
Lay Sangha Members
Lay Sangha Members
- Duy Hoang
- Dorian Peters, Sukkha
Sangha Members
Sangha Members
The following members have received lay Buddhist precepts from inside prison... (not a complete list)
- Jack McNeill Virya (Energy, Persistence)
- Nam Nguyen Siksha (Training in Discipline)
- Hem Raksa ("Dreamer") Brahmaridaya ( Heart Filled with Concentration Power)
- Khan Phuoc Mai Karuna (Loving Kindness)
- Khai Cu Pramudita (He Who Finds Joy in his Activities)
- Than Mai Vimala (Purity in Conduct)
- Mitchell Kane ("Drifter") Samyama (Self Control)
- Kenneth Glaude ("Tabu") Ahimsa (Non-harming, nonviolent) .
- Erin O'Connor Bhavana (Developing the Mind)
- Sotear Choun ("Johnny") Asanga
- Tony Chou Maitra (Good Will and Benevolence) (Unbound, Unfettered)
- Robert Orr ("Montana") Svabhava (Free From External Nature)
- Taddy Undterreiner Bija (Seed, or Potential)
- Vinh Tu Bhava (Becoming)
- Christian Branscombe Satya (Truth)
- Darren Sherman Abhikmuni (in View of Wisdom)
- Dubba Kahawia Satala (Hidden Treasures)
- Hector Salgado ("Tito") Achala (Immoveable)
- Dave Ros ("Monk") Prasangika (Making Use of the Consequences)
- Lamthang Southisone ("Gat") Dharmanusaria (Follower of the Teaching)
- Alan Vener ("Rooster") Sadhumati (Good Thoughts)
- Aaron Mercado Prabhakari (Radiance)
- Kevin Adams ("Stone") Nadi (Vessel of Energy)
- Robert Williams ("Bobby") Vayama (Effort)
- Daniel Kovaks ("Danny") Antaryamin (Inner Leader)
- Semdeth Pisa ("Deth") Savashtambha (Boldness, Self-Confidence)
- Byron Jackson Upekkha (Equanimity)
- Tam Tran Sila (Virtue, Precepts)
- W. Tad Rollins Passaddhi (Tranquillity)
- Benny Chase Adosa (Without Hate)
ATTANKA SILAS (8-precept postulants)
ATTANKA SILAS (8-precept postulants)
- Cole Bienek ("Wolf") Vajra (Diamond)
- Benjamin Madril Samatha (Peaceful Mind)
- Hai Hong Shraddha (Devotion)
- Juan Carlos Cifuentes ("J.C.") Arya (Noble)
- Richard Gregg Ratnapala (Power)