Monastics, Dharma Teachers, and Staff
(From left to right) Brother Doug, Ven. Shanti, and Ven. Kusala sit on the steps outside of IBMC. Photo by Rebecca Wilson.
Ordination at the IBMC
At this time, IBMC is not training or ordaining new monks, nuns or Dharma teachers.
IBMC offers a refuge and 5-precepts ceremony for Buddhist laypeople/householders during Vesak in April or May.
Monk / Nun -- Bhikshu (Monk) /// Bhikshuni (Nun) - Celibacy
Monk (Bhikshu)... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Nun (Bhikshuni)... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Novice Monk... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Novice Nun... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Atthasila Monk... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Atthasila Nun... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
IBMC Dharma Teacher - No Celibacy
Dharma Teacher: 25 - IBMC Dharma Teacher Precepts
Novice Dharma Teacher: 10 - IBMC Dharma Teacher precepts
Atthasila Dharma Teacher: 8 - IBMC Dharma Teacher precepts
5 Precepts for Lay Person
1. Avoid Taking Life
2. Avoid Taking What is Not Given
3. Avoid Sexual Misconduct
4. Avoid Unskillful Speech
5. Avoid Consuming Intoxicants
At this time, IBMC is not training or ordaining new monks, nuns or Dharma teachers.
IBMC offers a refuge and 5-precepts ceremony for Buddhist laypeople/householders during Vesak in April or May.
Monk / Nun -- Bhikshu (Monk) /// Bhikshuni (Nun) - Celibacy
Monk (Bhikshu)... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Nun (Bhikshuni)... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Novice Monk... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Novice Nun... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Atthasila Monk... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
Atthasila Nun... Traditional Mahayana Ordination
IBMC Dharma Teacher - No Celibacy
Dharma Teacher: 25 - IBMC Dharma Teacher Precepts
Novice Dharma Teacher: 10 - IBMC Dharma Teacher precepts
Atthasila Dharma Teacher: 8 - IBMC Dharma Teacher precepts
5 Precepts for Lay Person
1. Avoid Taking Life
2. Avoid Taking What is Not Given
3. Avoid Sexual Misconduct
4. Avoid Unskillful Speech
5. Avoid Consuming Intoxicants
Ven. Havanpola Shanti - Abbot / Bhikkhu
Photo by Rebecca Wilson
Ven. Havanpola Shanti was born in Sri Lanka and entered the monastery under Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara when he was 13 years old. He was ordained as a bhikkhu at the age of 20. He is the Abbot of IBMC and Sri Ratna Vihara International, Iriyawetiya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He oversees the running and religious activities of IBMC, gives Dharma talks, works with students and is involved in InterBuddhist and InterReligious activities.
After attending the University of Kelanaya, where he received his B.A. in Buddhist Studies, Ven. Shanti returned to his home temple. Along with eleven other teachers, he trained 150 young men and eventually took the position of vice-principal of Sri Wijaya Maha Piriwena, Sangalena Raja Maha Vihara, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Later, he became the principal and held that position for six years.
After spending a year at a temple in Korea, Ven. Shanti came to Los Angeles to join IBMC and the College of Buddhist Studies as the senior student of Dr. H. Ratanasara.
Ven. Shanti became Abbot of IBMC after many years as Vice-Abbot on 11/11/2012.
After attending the University of Kelanaya, where he received his B.A. in Buddhist Studies, Ven. Shanti returned to his home temple. Along with eleven other teachers, he trained 150 young men and eventually took the position of vice-principal of Sri Wijaya Maha Piriwena, Sangalena Raja Maha Vihara, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Later, he became the principal and held that position for six years.
After spending a year at a temple in Korea, Ven. Shanti came to Los Angeles to join IBMC and the College of Buddhist Studies as the senior student of Dr. H. Ratanasara.
Ven. Shanti became Abbot of IBMC after many years as Vice-Abbot on 11/11/2012.
Ven. Kusala Ratana Karuna - Head Monk/Bhikshu
Photo by Rebecca Wilson
Ven. Kusala Ratana Karuna (Thich Tam-Thien) is resident Buddhist monk at IBMC. His interest in meditation brought him to IBMC in 1980. He took refuge and accepted the five precepts of a lay Buddhist in 1981, and was given the Dharma name Kusala (skillful). In 1983, with a growing interest in early Buddhism, he began his studies with Ven. Dr. H. Ratanasara at the College of Buddhist Studies. In 1994, he took his novice monk vows, and in 1996, received full ordination as a Bhikkhu (Monk) with Ven. Dr. Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma serving as two of the ordaining masters.
Kusala Bhikshu was a member of the Buddhist- Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles, Buddhist Chaplain for the University Religious Conference at UCLA and director of the University Buddhist Association at UCLA for 11 years. In 2000, Rev. Kusala was invited to join the UCLA Spiritual Care Committee Medical Center Spiritual Care Committee and is still a member as of 2012.
In addition to his other duties, Rev. Kusala was a Buddhist volunteer for four years teaching Buddhism and meditation at the Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall. Before his work in juvenile hall, he was a volunteer at the Los Angeles County State Prison for Men teaching Buddhism and meditation to Buddhist inmates.
He was the first Buddhist ride-along volunteer police chaplain in Garden Grove, serving for 7 years. On November 16, 2001, Rev. Kusala received a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly, and a certificate of special congressional recognition from the United States Congress for his work with the Garden Grove Police Department.
Rev. Kusala gives Dharma talks at IBMC every first Sunday of the month. He also leads meditation sessions at IBMC on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings every week.
Rev. Kusala's websites: www.kusala.info and Urban Dharma (www.urbandharma.org).
Kusala Bhikshu was a member of the Buddhist- Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles, Buddhist Chaplain for the University Religious Conference at UCLA and director of the University Buddhist Association at UCLA for 11 years. In 2000, Rev. Kusala was invited to join the UCLA Spiritual Care Committee Medical Center Spiritual Care Committee and is still a member as of 2012.
In addition to his other duties, Rev. Kusala was a Buddhist volunteer for four years teaching Buddhism and meditation at the Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall. Before his work in juvenile hall, he was a volunteer at the Los Angeles County State Prison for Men teaching Buddhism and meditation to Buddhist inmates.
He was the first Buddhist ride-along volunteer police chaplain in Garden Grove, serving for 7 years. On November 16, 2001, Rev. Kusala received a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly, and a certificate of special congressional recognition from the United States Congress for his work with the Garden Grove Police Department.
Rev. Kusala gives Dharma talks at IBMC every first Sunday of the month. He also leads meditation sessions at IBMC on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings every week.
Rev. Kusala's websites: www.kusala.info and Urban Dharma (www.urbandharma.org).
Ven. Paññaloka - Bhikkhu
Ven. Paññaloka is from Sri Lanka where he was ordained as a novice monk in 1991 and received his higher ordination as a Bhikkhu in 2006. He has earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Buddhist Studies and other Humanistic Studies in Sri Lanka. He has been a resident monk at IBMC for several years conducting classes on scriptural language and giving Dharma talks. He is currently working on a Doctor of Buddhist Ministry at University of the West in Rosemead, California.
Ven. Rathanasara - Bhikkhu
Ven Rathanasara is from Sri Lanka where he was ordained as a novice in 2005 and received his higher ordination as a Bhikkhu in 2015. He has a B.A. Special Degree from the University of Sri Lanka in Anuradhapura. He joined IBMC in November 2022 where he now lives and works sharing the Dharma, participating in rituals and services, leading meditation, and maintaining the temple.
Chanda Sara Sraman - Novice Monk
Chanda Sara Sraman is from Bangladesh where he received his novice ordination in 2003. He moved to Sri Lanka shortly after and lived there until 2018 when he moved to Hong Kong for a year before moving to IBMC in 2019. He shares the Dharma through giving talks and leading meditations on loving-kindness.
Rev. Ksanti Karuna - Dharma Teacher
Rev. Ksanti Karuna was born Tom O'Connor in Syracuse, New York in 1946. He received a B.S. degree in Drama from Syracuse University. He is a marketing director for non-profits. He has worked for the LA Philharmonic and the NY Philharmonic. He is a board member of the Robert Chesley Foundation's Board and is an active participant in IBMC’s Prison correspondence program. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August of 2002, and full IBMC Dharma teacher vows in 2004.
Rev. Sraddha Karuna - Dharma Teacher
Rev. Sraddha Karuna was born Victor Bumbalo in Utica, New York. He is a graduate of Bennington College, receiving an M.A. in Theatre. He is an award-winning playwright, receiving the Ingram Merrill award for play writing. Among his plays are Adam and the Experts, Niagara Falls, What are Tuesdays Like, and Show. He has also written for television including episodes for NYPD Blue and HBO’s Spawn, Relativity and a number of Movies of the Week. He also co-produced the Three Dollar Bill Theatre in New York. He was founder and board member of the Robert Chesley Foundation, and was a team leader for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York. Today he is an active member of IBMC’s prisoner correspondence program. He received his Novice Dharma Teacher ordination in August 2002, and full IBMC Dharma teacher vows in 2004.
Rev. Sraddha's website: www.victorbumbalo.com
Steven Subodha Nuñez, MDiv. - Dharma Teacher
Subodha is a Los Angeles native. He began learning and practicing Buddhism around twelve years old. He has a Master of Divinity in Buddhist Ministry from University of the West in Rosemead, California. He took refuge at IBMC and received the Dharma name Subodha (Thorough Knowledge). He follows the Kammatthāna tradition of Buddhism and gains inspiration from the Pali Canon and from his practice of Ānāpānasati, mindfulness of breathing. Subodha has been giving talks at IBMC as a lay Dharma Teacher since July 2017.
Subodha's website www.suburbandharma.org
Subodha's website www.suburbandharma.org
Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma - Bhikshuni (In Memoriam)
Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma took full ordination in 1976, becoming one of the first American women to take bhikkuni ordination in the United States. She met her teacher, Thich Thien-An, and began her studies of Buddhism in 1969. She was one of the founding members of the IBMC.
Ven. Karuna became the Abbess of IBMC when Ven. Thien-An died in 1980. She is a past president of the American Buddhist Congress and the College of Buddhist Studies. She served as vice-president of the Buddhist Sangha Council and was a founding president of Sakyadhita, the International Association of Buddhist Women. Ven. Karuna is profiled in Meetings with Remarkable Women: Buddhist Teachers in America, by Lenore Friedman.
In November 2012, Ven. Karuna retired after 32 years as Abbess. She moved to Northern California to live , close to family and friends. On February 22, 2014 at 3:30 am, she died peacefully with her daughter Chrys at her side. She was 74.
May she find happiness and success in her next rebirth.
Doug Solomon (Brother Abhaya) - IBMC Residential Manager
Doug Solomon (Br. Abhaya Singa) has lived at the IBMC for over ten years, and in the last few years he has worked in the IBMC office as the Residential Manager.
IBMC is unique among spiritual communities because all residents do not follow the same spiritual path. Rather, our residents reflect the diversity of the city and the diversity of our world. Although most are American-born, they represent many different heritages, subcultures and ethnic groups. For more information on the IBMC residential housing program, please contact Doug at (213) 384-0850.
