About

Kusala Bhikshu has resided as a head monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Koreatown, Los Angeles, for over 27 years. His popularity stems from his candid and often comedic distillation of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, and he is best known for empathetically addressing the plights and struggles most common to the human experience. Holding Buddhist ordination since 1994, he’s spoken at over 1,000 public events to audiences of politicians, educators, celebrities, service-care workers, scholars, clergy, and special-interest communities. He received his BA from the College of Buddhist Studies in 1992.

His 20-plus years of volunteer work include positions within the California state prison system, the Garden Grove Police Department, Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall, and various hospitals, including UCLA Medical Center.

Kusala’s first TV appearance was in 1998 on Sinbad’s talk show Vibe, and he has since provided Buddhist commentaries for PBS, the History Channel, the Los Angeles Times, and other internationally recognized media outlets. In 2015, he was asked to lead the opening meditation for the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday appearance for the City of Garden Grove in Orange County.

When not sharing the Dharma, Kusala can usually be found caring for 12-plus homeless cats that live at the meditation center.

Photo: Venerable Saraka Dharma and Kusala at his novice ordination, 1994