Five Mountain Zen Order Clergy
Rev. Joshua Wanji Paszkiewicz, (SN: Zen Priest) and National Abbot (Chuji Sunim)
Rev. Wanji was installed as the Abbot of the Five Mountain Zen Order on January 28, 2012. Additionally, he is the founder and Abbot of Beyond Walls Zen at three locations in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area. Sunim has been practicing meditation formally since age seven, and traditional life protection (“martial”) arts for slightly longer.
Sunim has attained the title of Master in several martial arts (along with black belt level in a few others), and has founded his own method of Buddhist Life Protection Arts called Bupmudo, which he actively instructs through programs at Beyond Walls Zen in Kansas City.
On a current day-to-day basis Sunim is a continuing student of Zen Master Paul Yuanzhi Lynch. Having experienced a wide range of religious traditions from his since his childhood (spending ten years in Christian theocratic ministry training) Sunim has adopted a very pluralistic approach to engaging the dharma, and thus strives to foster an atmosphere where truly all are welcome to explore and integrate Buddhist teachings.
Rev. Wanji was installed as the Abbot of the Five Mountain Zen Order on January 28, 2012. Additionally, he is the founder and Abbot of Beyond Walls Zen at three locations in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area. Sunim has been practicing meditation formally since age seven, and traditional life protection (“martial”) arts for slightly longer.
Sunim has attained the title of Master in several martial arts (along with black belt level in a few others), and has founded his own method of Buddhist Life Protection Arts called Bupmudo, which he actively instructs through programs at Beyond Walls Zen in Kansas City.
On a current day-to-day basis Sunim is a continuing student of Zen Master Paul Yuanzhi Lynch. Having experienced a wide range of religious traditions from his since his childhood (spending ten years in Christian theocratic ministry training) Sunim has adopted a very pluralistic approach to engaging the dharma, and thus strives to foster an atmosphere where truly all are welcome to explore and integrate Buddhist teachings.
Rev. Paul Domyong Sireci, (BSN: Bodhisattva Priest)
Rev. Paul Domyong Sireci LMSW MA has been studying and practing Buddhism in earnest since 1996. Much of that time has been devoted to studying and practicing within the Tibetan Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu traditions under the guidance of Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche and others. In more recent years, Paul has taken up studying and practicing Theravada traditions and Zen. He is grateful to have connected with the Five Mountain Zen sangha and Rev. Paul Yuanzhi Lynch, with whom he is engaged in ongoing Koan work and a deepening of his Zen practice. Rev. Domyong has a great love for his daily meditation practices and for retreat practice. They keep him happy and sane (-ish)!
Rev. Domyong lives in Brooklyn and is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of New York, where he specializes in working with young people who have experienced trauma. Paul is especially interested in the integration of Attachment Theory and recent advances in affective neuroscience into psychotherapy and other brain/body-based approaches to healing. He also partners with organizations to do social justice work in various capacities, particularly for and with queer youth of color. In his sparse free time, Rev. Domyong can be found digging away in the garden or hovering over a cup of tea. You can follow his blog at Don't Make Anything.
Rev. Paul Domyong Sireci LMSW MA has been studying and practing Buddhism in earnest since 1996. Much of that time has been devoted to studying and practicing within the Tibetan Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu traditions under the guidance of Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche and others. In more recent years, Paul has taken up studying and practicing Theravada traditions and Zen. He is grateful to have connected with the Five Mountain Zen sangha and Rev. Paul Yuanzhi Lynch, with whom he is engaged in ongoing Koan work and a deepening of his Zen practice. Rev. Domyong has a great love for his daily meditation practices and for retreat practice. They keep him happy and sane (-ish)!
Rev. Domyong lives in Brooklyn and is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of New York, where he specializes in working with young people who have experienced trauma. Paul is especially interested in the integration of Attachment Theory and recent advances in affective neuroscience into psychotherapy and other brain/body-based approaches to healing. He also partners with organizations to do social justice work in various capacities, particularly for and with queer youth of color. In his sparse free time, Rev. Domyong can be found digging away in the garden or hovering over a cup of tea. You can follow his blog at Don't Make Anything.
Haewon Sunim
Haewon Sunim has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1997. He started his journey by studying with Samu Sunim in Chicago. He then went to Korea to practice in Kyol Che at Hwa- Gye Sa Temple in Seoul. It was there that he realized that he wanted to devote his life to the study and practice of the dharma. When he returned from Seoul he studied and lived at Yuk Jo Sa temple in Berkeley California under the guidance of Ven. Hyunoong Sunim. (Hyunoong Sunim is a Korean Zen master as well as a Taoist Master born in South Korea. He is a Dharma heir of Kusan Sunim.) Haewon Sunim then went to stay in Korea with Hyunoong Sunim at a temple that he had just established to study and practice as a novice monk. In 2008 he was introduced to the Taego order and the Ven. Dr. Jongmae Park and started his study in the IBS. He was ordained as a Taego monk in January 2009. At the end of March of 2012, Haewon Sunim will be re-establishing his precepts with the Five Mountain Zen Order. Haewon Sunim is the founder and Abbot of Bo Kwang Zen Center St. Louis.
Haewon Sunim has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1997. He started his journey by studying with Samu Sunim in Chicago. He then went to Korea to practice in Kyol Che at Hwa- Gye Sa Temple in Seoul. It was there that he realized that he wanted to devote his life to the study and practice of the dharma. When he returned from Seoul he studied and lived at Yuk Jo Sa temple in Berkeley California under the guidance of Ven. Hyunoong Sunim. (Hyunoong Sunim is a Korean Zen master as well as a Taoist Master born in South Korea. He is a Dharma heir of Kusan Sunim.) Haewon Sunim then went to stay in Korea with Hyunoong Sunim at a temple that he had just established to study and practice as a novice monk. In 2008 he was introduced to the Taego order and the Ven. Dr. Jongmae Park and started his study in the IBS. He was ordained as a Taego monk in January 2009. At the end of March of 2012, Haewon Sunim will be re-establishing his precepts with the Five Mountain Zen Order. Haewon Sunim is the founder and Abbot of Bo Kwang Zen Center St. Louis.
Rev. Brian Chongan Denton, (SN: Zen Priest)
Rev Chongan is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio (#6540). He runs a small private practice in Cleveland, Ohio (Robert B. Denton, Psy.D. LLC). He attended Case Western Reserve University, receiving his Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Psychology. He received a master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology (M.A.) from Cleveland State University, and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
Rev Chongan is on the advisory board for the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation at the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, OH, and for the Society for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is a reviewer for the upcoming Journal of Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is lead author of the chapter “Clinical Uses of Mindfulness” in Innovations in Clinical Practice (with Dr. Sears) and third author of the book "Mindfulness in Clinical Practice" (with Dr. Sears and Dr. Tirsch) available ghrough Professional Resource Press.
Outside of his studies in Psychology, he is a first degree black belt in To-Shin Do Ninjutsu and runs a small training group teaching martial arts in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He has studied the Eastern Wisdom traditions extensively, having traveled to a variety of training centers and monastic institutes around the United States and overseas. He is currently undergoing formal Koan (Zen) practice, receiving the ordination name of Chong-An (meaning "clear vision") under the authority Rev Paul Yuanzhi Lynch in the Five Mountain Order, following the Zen tradition of Zen Master Seung Sahn.
Rev Chongan is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio (#6540). He runs a small private practice in Cleveland, Ohio (Robert B. Denton, Psy.D. LLC). He attended Case Western Reserve University, receiving his Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Psychology. He received a master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology (M.A.) from Cleveland State University, and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
Rev Chongan is on the advisory board for the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation at the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, OH, and for the Society for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is a reviewer for the upcoming Journal of Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He is lead author of the chapter “Clinical Uses of Mindfulness” in Innovations in Clinical Practice (with Dr. Sears) and third author of the book "Mindfulness in Clinical Practice" (with Dr. Sears and Dr. Tirsch) available ghrough Professional Resource Press.
Outside of his studies in Psychology, he is a first degree black belt in To-Shin Do Ninjutsu and runs a small training group teaching martial arts in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He has studied the Eastern Wisdom traditions extensively, having traveled to a variety of training centers and monastic institutes around the United States and overseas. He is currently undergoing formal Koan (Zen) practice, receiving the ordination name of Chong-An (meaning "clear vision") under the authority Rev Paul Yuanzhi Lynch in the Five Mountain Order, following the Zen tradition of Zen Master Seung Sahn.
Rev. Charama Bhavika, (SN: Zen Priest) and Executive Director (Chongmu Sunim)
Rev. Charama Bhavika is an ordained Zen priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order, “the Monastery without walls…in the world with helping hands.” Sunim is the Abbot of the Only Love Zen Sitting Group which is located in the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area. Rev. Charama started sitting in meditation seven years ago when they attended Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit. At that time, Rev. P’arang Geri Larkin was the Guiding Teacher at Still Point. Rev. P’arang is a witty, warm, one-of-a-kind person whose mere presence lights up a room and gladdens the heart. Her books are essential reading. Rev. Charama took to Still Point like wasabi to sushi. He was granted permission to enroll in Dharma school (Zen seminary) with the goal of training for three years to graduate as an ordained teacher of Zen.
Life being what it is, that did not work out. The pressures of the four-hour weekly drive from Grand Rapids to Detroit, plus with the demands of holding down two jobs, took a toll. Reluctantly, Rev. Charama resigned from Dharma school. However, they stayed in contact with Rev. P’arang and other friends with them at Still Point, And they continued to attend Zen temples in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak. Today, Rev. Charama studies Zen under the tutelage of Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch.
Rev. Charama Bhavika is an ordained Zen priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order, “the Monastery without walls…in the world with helping hands.” Sunim is the Abbot of the Only Love Zen Sitting Group which is located in the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area. Rev. Charama started sitting in meditation seven years ago when they attended Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit. At that time, Rev. P’arang Geri Larkin was the Guiding Teacher at Still Point. Rev. P’arang is a witty, warm, one-of-a-kind person whose mere presence lights up a room and gladdens the heart. Her books are essential reading. Rev. Charama took to Still Point like wasabi to sushi. He was granted permission to enroll in Dharma school (Zen seminary) with the goal of training for three years to graduate as an ordained teacher of Zen.
Life being what it is, that did not work out. The pressures of the four-hour weekly drive from Grand Rapids to Detroit, plus with the demands of holding down two jobs, took a toll. Reluctantly, Rev. Charama resigned from Dharma school. However, they stayed in contact with Rev. P’arang and other friends with them at Still Point, And they continued to attend Zen temples in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak. Today, Rev. Charama studies Zen under the tutelage of Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch.
Rev. Chasayk, (SN: Zen Priest)
Rev. Chasayk is an ordained Zen priest in the Five Mountain Order, “the Monastery without walls…in the world with helping hands.” Chasayk started sitting in meditation seven years ago when they attended Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit. At that time, Rev. P’arang Geri Larkin was the Guiding Teacher at Still Point. Rev. P’arang is a witty, warm, one-of-a-kind person whose mere presence lights up a room and gladdens the heart. Her books are essential reading. Chasayk took to Still Point like wasabi to sushi. He was granted permission to enroll in Dharma school (Zen seminary) with the goal of training for three years to graduate as an ordained teacher of Zen.
Life being what it is, that did not work out. The pressures of the four-hour weekly drive from Grand Rapids to Detroit, plus with the demands of holding down two jobs, took a toll. Reluctantly, Chasayk resigned from Dharma school. However, they stayed in contact with Rev. P’arang and other friends with them at Still Point, And they continued to attend Zen temples in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak. Today, Chasayk studies Zen under the tutelage of Rev. Greg Hwasahn LeBlanc.
Rev. Chasayk is an ordained Zen priest in the Five Mountain Order, “the Monastery without walls…in the world with helping hands.” Chasayk started sitting in meditation seven years ago when they attended Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit. At that time, Rev. P’arang Geri Larkin was the Guiding Teacher at Still Point. Rev. P’arang is a witty, warm, one-of-a-kind person whose mere presence lights up a room and gladdens the heart. Her books are essential reading. Chasayk took to Still Point like wasabi to sushi. He was granted permission to enroll in Dharma school (Zen seminary) with the goal of training for three years to graduate as an ordained teacher of Zen.
Life being what it is, that did not work out. The pressures of the four-hour weekly drive from Grand Rapids to Detroit, plus with the demands of holding down two jobs, took a toll. Reluctantly, Chasayk resigned from Dharma school. However, they stayed in contact with Rev. P’arang and other friends with them at Still Point, And they continued to attend Zen temples in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak. Today, Chasayk studies Zen under the tutelage of Rev. Greg Hwasahn LeBlanc.
Rev. Lawrence Do'an Grecco, (SN: Zen Priest)
Rev. Do'an is the Abbot of Open Sky Sangha and Queer Sangha in New York City. He is also a Buddhist Minister and Life Coach, as well as a dharma teacher authorized by the Interdependence Project and also teaches meditation.
Rev. Do'an has worked with people for over twenty years in several capacities: as a crisis counselor, meditation instructor, certified personal trainer, and hospice volunteer. Lawrence lives in New York City and was ordained by the International Order of Buddhist Ministers/Los Angeles Buddhist Union.
Rev. Do'an is a student of Paul Yuánzhì Lynch, the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Five Mountain Zen Order and holds a certificate in Foundations in Buddhist Chaplaincy from the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. He writes for the ID Project, Sweeping Zen and his own blog, Open Sky Zen. Lawrence is the Founding Director and main teacher of Open Sky, a meditation and dharma studies group that meets several times a month at the New York Insight Meditation Center in New York City. He has taught mediation to at-risk and incarcerated teenagers through the Lineage Project, offered spiritual care at a hospice facility, and worked for many years as a crisis counselor with the Long Island Crisis Center. In 1985 he confounded LIGALY, a youth support group where he served as Co-Director until 1992.
Rev. Do'an is the Abbot of Open Sky Sangha and Queer Sangha in New York City. He is also a Buddhist Minister and Life Coach, as well as a dharma teacher authorized by the Interdependence Project and also teaches meditation.
Rev. Do'an has worked with people for over twenty years in several capacities: as a crisis counselor, meditation instructor, certified personal trainer, and hospice volunteer. Lawrence lives in New York City and was ordained by the International Order of Buddhist Ministers/Los Angeles Buddhist Union.
Rev. Do'an is a student of Paul Yuánzhì Lynch, the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Five Mountain Zen Order and holds a certificate in Foundations in Buddhist Chaplaincy from the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. He writes for the ID Project, Sweeping Zen and his own blog, Open Sky Zen. Lawrence is the Founding Director and main teacher of Open Sky, a meditation and dharma studies group that meets several times a month at the New York Insight Meditation Center in New York City. He has taught mediation to at-risk and incarcerated teenagers through the Lineage Project, offered spiritual care at a hospice facility, and worked for many years as a crisis counselor with the Long Island Crisis Center. In 1985 he confounded LIGALY, a youth support group where he served as Co-Director until 1992.
Rev. Chris Bŏnjōk Hoff, (HJN: Novice Priest)
Rev. Bŏnjōk Chris Hoff, MFT is currently a Novice Priest in the Five Mountain Order. Rev. Bŏnjōk is the Abbot of the Ocean Eyes Zen Center / Huntington Beach Meditation Group in Huntington Beach, California. Chris began meditative practices in the Vedanta Tradition more than fifteen years ago. Having studied with a variety of teachers he is currently engaged in practice with Rev. Yuanzhi and has taken ten precepts in the Five Mountain Order. He is also an M.A. IMF #66002, is a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern with the Project. Chris' work is grounded in Narrative theory, an evolving collection of ideas and practices that inform a respectful, collaborative and non pathologising approach to working with people and communities.
Chris works with young people, women, men, couples and families in response to a wide range of concerns. Chris has a particular interest in the meanings that people develop from their life experiences. Through the Narrative Project, Chris also provides a wide range of executive and organizational development consulting services. Chris' organizational work is based on Appreciative Inquiry, a body of work that focuses on developing an organization's positive core to inspire collaborative action that serves the whole system. AI is the powerful new paradigm for strength-based organizational transformation. Chris also blogs for OC Metro magazine, writing about leading edge postmodern collaborative practices. Prior to joining the Project, Chris co-founded Two Roads Professional Resources Inc., a full-service engineering and information technology staffing company, in 1996. He helped grow the business to eight figures in sales and over 200 employees. Chris successfully exited the business in January 2010. Chris has also been an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist, and has over 20 years of experience in human resources.
Chris currently serves on the California state board of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is a member of several other nonprofit boards serving both the arts and issues of social justice. He has also presented across the country on topics such as Social Justice and Social Entrepreneurship. Chris has also been a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University. Chris Hoff, California Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #66002, Supervised by Anne Arnold, MFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #34382...
Rev. Bŏnjōk Chris Hoff, MFT is currently a Novice Priest in the Five Mountain Order. Rev. Bŏnjōk is the Abbot of the Ocean Eyes Zen Center / Huntington Beach Meditation Group in Huntington Beach, California. Chris began meditative practices in the Vedanta Tradition more than fifteen years ago. Having studied with a variety of teachers he is currently engaged in practice with Rev. Yuanzhi and has taken ten precepts in the Five Mountain Order. He is also an M.A. IMF #66002, is a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern with the Project. Chris' work is grounded in Narrative theory, an evolving collection of ideas and practices that inform a respectful, collaborative and non pathologising approach to working with people and communities.
Chris works with young people, women, men, couples and families in response to a wide range of concerns. Chris has a particular interest in the meanings that people develop from their life experiences. Through the Narrative Project, Chris also provides a wide range of executive and organizational development consulting services. Chris' organizational work is based on Appreciative Inquiry, a body of work that focuses on developing an organization's positive core to inspire collaborative action that serves the whole system. AI is the powerful new paradigm for strength-based organizational transformation. Chris also blogs for OC Metro magazine, writing about leading edge postmodern collaborative practices. Prior to joining the Project, Chris co-founded Two Roads Professional Resources Inc., a full-service engineering and information technology staffing company, in 1996. He helped grow the business to eight figures in sales and over 200 employees. Chris successfully exited the business in January 2010. Chris has also been an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist, and has over 20 years of experience in human resources.
Chris currently serves on the California state board of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is a member of several other nonprofit boards serving both the arts and issues of social justice. He has also presented across the country on topics such as Social Justice and Social Entrepreneurship. Chris has also been a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University. Chris Hoff, California Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #66002, Supervised by Anne Arnold, MFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #34382...
Rev. Glenda Anshin Gill, (HJN: Novice Priest)
Bio Coming Soon.
Bio Coming Soon.
Rev. James Kwanjin Gibbs, (HJN: Novice Priest)
Bio Coming Soon.
Bio Coming Soon.
Rev. Andre Doshim Halaw, (HJN: Novice Priest)
Bio Coming Soon!
Bio Coming Soon!
