Instructors for Summer Retreat at the Sudhana Center
Douglas Powers
Having been an early Western disciple of Master Hua, Doug Powers has served in many capacities within the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) over the years, most recently as president and professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU). He teaches an assortment of classes, with topics ranging from Buddhist sutras to Western philosophical treatises. Doug also taught at Berkeley High School for over 40 years. Versed in both Western philosophy and Buddhist thought, Doug is constantly pushing the edge of how Buddhism can be brought into contact with the “modern mind.”
Having been an early Western disciple of Master Hua, Doug Powers has served in many capacities within the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) over the years, most recently as president and professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU). He teaches an assortment of classes, with topics ranging from Buddhist sutras to Western philosophical treatises. Doug also taught at Berkeley High School for over 40 years. Versed in both Western philosophy and Buddhist thought, Doug is constantly pushing the edge of how Buddhism can be brought into contact with the “modern mind.”
Dr. Martin Verhoeven
Dr. Martin Verhoeven, when training under Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, undertook the bowing pilgrimage dedicated to world peace with Reverend Heng Sure. He graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His areas of interest are the historical teachings of Buddhism and the process of religious acculturation. Dr. Verhoeven has studied and lectured extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the United States, and Canada. He is a professor and former Dean of Academics at Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) and teaches at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery every Friday evening on the Avatamsaka Sutra.
Dr. Martin Verhoeven, when training under Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, undertook the bowing pilgrimage dedicated to world peace with Reverend Heng Sure. He graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His areas of interest are the historical teachings of Buddhism and the process of religious acculturation. Dr. Verhoeven has studied and lectured extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the United States, and Canada. He is a professor and former Dean of Academics at Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) and teaches at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery every Friday evening on the Avatamsaka Sutra.
Bhikshu Jin Chuan
Bhikshu Jin Chuan was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Silicon Valley. In high school, he began exploring Christianity and Buddhism, and discovered his “calling” to be a monk–to the surprise of his family (and himself). While studying physics and religious studies at Stanford, he joined Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth and frequented Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. In 2005, he became a resident at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He became a novice in 2011 and a bhikshu in 2013. In 2016, he received an M.A. in Buddhist Classics at DRBU where he now serves as an assistant professor and chaplain.
Bhikshu Jin Chuan was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Silicon Valley. In high school, he began exploring Christianity and Buddhism, and discovered his “calling” to be a monk–to the surprise of his family (and himself). While studying physics and religious studies at Stanford, he joined Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth and frequented Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. In 2005, he became a resident at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He became a novice in 2011 and a bhikshu in 2013. In 2016, he received an M.A. in Buddhist Classics at DRBU where he now serves as an assistant professor and chaplain.
Bhikshu Jin Wei
Bhikshu Jin Wei was born in Poland and began his meditation practice in 1999. After living a fun but unfulfilling bohemian lifestyle, he encountered a Polish translation of the Sixth Patriarch Sūtra that inspired him to dedicate himself to Dharma practice and service. He volunteered in various hospitals and helped organize DRBA Delegations to Europe. In 2013, he came to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas as a Sangha and Laity Training Program student. In 2015, he took novice ordination, and in 2017, full ordination. In 2020, he graduated from the DRBU M.A. in Buddhist Classics.
Bhikshu Jin Wei was born in Poland and began his meditation practice in 1999. After living a fun but unfulfilling bohemian lifestyle, he encountered a Polish translation of the Sixth Patriarch Sūtra that inspired him to dedicate himself to Dharma practice and service. He volunteered in various hospitals and helped organize DRBA Delegations to Europe. In 2013, he came to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas as a Sangha and Laity Training Program student. In 2015, he took novice ordination, and in 2017, full ordination. In 2020, he graduated from the DRBU M.A. in Buddhist Classics.
