Karmic Connections from the Past

Ven. Dr. Ananda, Ven. Dr. Thich Thien An, Zen Master Seung Sahn, Maezumi Roshi and Kozan Roshi.

We have recently taken over the operations of the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles from its previous parent organization the International Buddhist Meditation Center. The Buddhist Studies Institute - Los Angeles was founded in 1973 by Venerable Dr. Thich Thien-an as the International Buddhist Training Institute, at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, California. As an autonomous division of the University of Oriental Studies, the International Buddhist Training Institute was conceived with the specified purpose of offering Western style seminary training to Buddhist Monastics from around the world, whilst not neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training, in favor of secularly slanted academia.

  

Following the passing of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An in 1980, the University of Oriental Studies suspended its classes, and the International Buddhist Training Institute was consequently reorganized in September of 1983 as the College of Buddhist Studies - Los Angeles under the leadership of Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma (a.k.a. Thich An Tu).

In November of 2004, Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma charged Ven. Dr. Kelsang Chitta Karuna with restructuring the program as the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles, transitioning the program into a primarily online educational facility. Moving beyond the confines of a brick and mortar institution, BSI-LA now provides accessibility to a greater number of students from around the world, whilst carrying on the original mission and vision of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An.

In the course of some research to bring to life some the history of this Buddhist University, I discovered that the founding President of the University was a man by the name of Leo M. Pruden, PhD. That name seemed somehow vaguely familiar to me so I began to do some research.

News From The Dharma Realm

Scholar and Translator

In January the Sino-American Buddhist Association had the opportunity to welcome Leo M. Pruden, Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, to Gold Mountain Monastery.  Professor Pruden was accompanied by Mr. Lee Haeng-won (Zen Master Seung Sahn) with whom he is currently sponsoring the Providence Zen Center, an organization which is introducing Buddhist to the East Coast. Professor Pruden has traveled widely and studied in Asia, and is very much concerned with the translation of Buddhist scriptural material from Asian languages into English.

On a recent trip to the West Coast he stopped in San Francisco to visit Gold Mountain and pay his respects to the Venerable Abbot and members of the Sangha. He looked into the Monastery’s varied and intense schedule of activities, and discussed the importance of cooperation among the Sangha and lay community, regardless of nationality or sectarian affiliations, in order that the Buddhadharma might flourish. Professor Pruden praised the work being done by the Association, especially the Vajra Bodhi Sea Publication Society, and said that he hoped scholars of the Sangha and lay community can work together on translation projects in the future so that the Buddha's teachings might be quickly and accurately brought to the West.

Then I came across this article.

Seung Sahn Sunim came to America in 1972 at the invitation of Yu Young Soo, a friend and Dong Guk University alumnus. He started Zen teaching in Kingston, Mass. to a group of college students whom Professor Jong Sun Kim brought. The number of followers grew and he soon moved to Providence, Rhode Island. On October 10, 1972, he established the first Providence Zen Center and the KBC (Korean Buddhist Chogye Order) Hong Poep Won in Providence. This organization oversaw Buddhist groups under his direction. Chung Jung Dahn Sunim joined him briefly in Providence. He met Dr. Leo Pruden at Brown University, who came to his aid and provided the translation for his Dharma talks. By 1975 three other Zen centers were established in New York, Cambridge and New Haven all under his leadership. By 1979, five more Zen centers had formed under his direction.

Then on the Wiki Page for the Providence Zen Center.

The Providence Zen Center was established by Seung Sahn in October 1972 on Doyle Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island as the first practice center for his American students. The center came to be after Brown University professor Leo Pruden had invited Seung Sahn to give talks on Buddhism at the university, with several of the students thereafter coming to him for teachings. After relocating in 1974 to 48 Hope Street, the PZC came into possession of a 50-acre (200,000 m2) plot of land in 1978 located in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

I always knew there was a connection between Dr. Thich Thien-an and Zen Master Seung Sahn, but I never understood the valuable link that Dr. Pruden had played in helping Seung Sahn create the beginnings of the Kwan Um School of Zen and in helping Dr. Thien-an start the Buddhist Studies Institute. In addition, all of this was occurring at the same time.

There are so many deep-seated connections between all these initial pioneers of the Dharma that it may take many many years to discover their true depth. I only know that there were a lot more interactions between sanghas back then than there are today.

Dr. Thich Thien-an, Zen Master Seung Sahn and Maezumi Roshi