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Bhikkhu Chandako | |
| Bhikkhu Chandako (Richard Zeikowitz) was born in New York City in 1953. After completing his university education in 1975 he developed an interest in Eastern Religion. Bhikkhu Chandako returned to New York in 1992 to pursue graduate studies. While in New York he developed an interest in Tibetan Buddhism and in 2007 went to India to take novice ordination with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, he felt increasingly drawn to the original teachings of the Buddha as well as to a strict upholding of the Vinaya. In late 2008 he moved to Chithurst Monastery, and in August 2009 re-ordained as a samanera. In May 2010 he relocated to Amaravati and on 25 July, 2010 formally entered the Bhikkhu Sangha with Luang Por Sumedho as preceptor. |
Bhikkhu Chandako (Richard Zeikowitz) was born in New York City in 1953. After completing his university education in 1975 he developed an interest in Eastern Religion and practised for a few years with the Ananda Marga sect in Upstate New York and in San Francisco. He then drifted away from yoga and meditation practice and in 1981 went to Europe for an adventure. He stayed for eleven years. He lived briefly in London and Barcelona, but most of his time was spent in [West] Berlin. He taught English as a foreign language and also helped run a small jazz club. After the Berlin Wall was dismantled he had the opportunity to teach in former East Berlin. He returned to New York in 1992 to pursue graduate study in medieval English literature and received the Ph. D. in 2000. He eventually obtained a position as associate professor at the City University of New York. While in New York he developed an interest in Tibetan Buddhism and in December 2007 resigned from the university, gave up his tiny Manhattan apartment, dispersed his 2000 books, and went to India to take novice ordination with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharmasala. He was given the name, Tenzin Lamten, and took up residency at Nalanda Monastery in southwest France to begin a five-year study program in Buddhist philosophy. However, he felt increasingly drawn to the original teachings of the Buddha as well as to a strict upholding of the Vinaya. So, in late 2008 he left Nalanda and moved to Chithurst Monastery. In August 2009 he re-ordained as a samanera and received the name, Chandako, from Ajahn Sucitto. In May 2010 he relocated to Amaravati and on 25 July 2010 formally entered the Bhikkhu Sangha with Luang Por Sumedho as preceptor. | |
