Kittisaro, a Rhodes Scholar and graduate from Princeton University, spent 15 years as a monk in the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. He disrobed in 1991 and since then has taught internationally in the States, Europe, South Africa, and Israel. He has studied and practiced Chan and Pure Land Buddhism for 35 years inspired and guided by the Chinese school of Master Hsuan Hua. He has completed two yearlong self-retreats and is particularly interested in the mutually supportive relationship of Mahayana and Theravada teachings. Kittisaro and Thanissara are founders and directors of Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat in South Africa and Sacred Mountain Sangha Non Profit in California. They recently published a book Listening to the Heart: A Contemplative Guide to Engaged Buddhism.
