Since 1974. I grew up Catholic but left due to the issue of birth control. I had four children in four years and almost died with the last two. I did not seek another religion. I eventually became a Clinical Psychologist.
When I did come across those early translated works on Buddhism, I was very interested in their psychological perspective. That became my entry into Buddhism and I became a member of the Los Angeles Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin in 1974.
I entered my studies for the priesthood in 1978, received my first ordination in 1981, graduated from the Institute of Buddhist Studies at Berkeley, CA, in 1984, was given final ordination in Kyoto, Japan, in 1985. I served Marin Buddhist Church (CA) part time for two years, served Seabrook Buddhist Temple (NJ) for nine years, served Florin Buddhist Church (CA) for 9 years, served the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple for 2 years and left due to health restrictions and the heavy load of a Betsuin. I was fortunate to just move down a few miles to two of the temples that the Betsuin had been supervising and became their priest: Visalia Buddhist Temple and Hanford Buddhist Church, both in the Central California Valley. And here I remain! |
