His understanding of both Theravada and Mahayana is exceptional. He studied Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Prague University in 1969. In 1977, he received his Master’s Degree in Chinese Literature and Philosophy from University of Paris, France. He started learning Buddhism in the late seventies when he came to Berlin as a refugee due to Russian invasion. He studied Russian literature at Jerusalem University, receiving a degree in 1973.
He received his traditional Theravada Bhiksu Vinaya in 1987 in Sri Lanka, where he practiced meditation under the guidance of his preceptor, Ven. Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989 he received his Three Fold ordination as Mahayana monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles. Since then he has been providing dharma teaching in US, Germany and Taiwan.
He went to Myanmar to practice meditation with the contemporary meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw in 1996 and was considered by the Sayadaw the very first Western disciple who is qualified to teach meditation. He has been teaching Samantha and Vipassana meditation at various monasteries and universities worldwide. In addition, He has been writing and translating Buddhist text into French and Czech. His translated works include Treatise on the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana (Mahayanasraddhotpada-sastra), Entry into the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhicaryavatara) and a Collection of Han-San’s Poems. He is a rare gem in contemporary Buddhism.
