1943 | Born November 25, Thanksgiving Day, in the biggest snowstorm of the decade. Educated in California, with summers spent in northern NM on grandparent’s farm. One year at Long Beach Junior College before entering military. |
1962 | Medic and Sergeant in the Army in Germany until the end of 1967. |
1968 | Two years at Long Beach Junior College and two years at University of California at Fullerton, until 1972. |
1972 | Emigrated to BC, Canada, establishing homestead and farming until 1982. |
1970 | Started Zen practice with Koun Taizan Dai Osho (Maezumi Roshi) at Zen Center of Los Angeles in 1970. Commuted from BC to LA 1974 -1982 to practice with Maezumi Roshi. |
1978 | Precepts (Jukai) from Maezumi Roshi. |
1982 | Ordination (Tokudo) from Maezumi Roshi. Became first resident monk at Zen Mountain Center, California. Built one-mile long road into the property, supervised drilling well, installing solar power, building structures for Zendo, Buddha Hall, kitchen and residential structures. Oversaw all angos, sesshin, and workshops until 1994. |
1984 | Acting Head Monk (Shuso) at ninety-day ango, Zen Mountain Center. |
1986 | Became Vice-Abbot, Zen Mountain Center, California. |
1987 | Tokubetsu month-long sesshin at Daijoji, Kanazawa, Japan. |
1988 | Started teaching under the guidance of Maezumi Roshi. Founded Inward Bound, a program introducing mountain retreat and meditation to young people from inner city schools. Eventually served HIV/AIDS patients and their caregivers with retreats focused on impermanence and survival. |
1989 | Board of Directors of advocacy group for street people, Hemet, CA. until 1991. |
1994 | Dharma Transmission (Shiho) from Maezumi Roshi. |
1995 | Founded Hidden Mountain Zen Center as a Zen Peacemaker Community in Maezumi Roshi’s name, Albuquerque, NM. Bernie Glassman (Tetsugen Roshi) stood in for Maezumi Roshi after Roshi’s death that year. Worked with residents as trainees and oversaw all angos, sesshin and workshops until 2002. Established and ran HMZC branches of Peacemaker Homeless Retreats and plunges in Mexico, Wise Men and Women Mentoring program in local schools, teaching meditation at Santa Fe Maximum Security Prison facility. |
1998 | Served on Board of Directors, Center for Action and Contemplation, Catholic social service and meditation establishment, Albuquerque. Founded Prajna Zendo in Santa Fe, NM. |
1999 | Became Abbot of Hidden Mountain Zen Center, Albuquerque. Dharma Transmission (Shiho) from Bernie Glassman, Litchfield, CT. Gave Dharma Transmission to Musai Walter (now Musai Sensei.) |
2001 | After 9/11, became more involved with interfaith work, and Co-Sponsored a symposium in Albuquerque, with Jewish and Muslim leaders, as well as leaders of other faiths, to enter into dialog together on the subject of religious tolerance. |
2002 | Resigned from Hidden Mountain Zen Center. |
2002 | Began healing process and work with art as healing (see personal statement). |
2006 | Resumed teaching formally with Tokudo ceremony for Doug Helzer, Albuquerque, NM. |