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

Abbess

Rev. Kshanti (a.k.a Su Co Thich Tu Nhân)

Secular Name: Maria Cristina Beato-Lanz

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

• Duy Hoang
• Dorian Peters, Sukkha

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)

• 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)