biography
i used to be a young man
and knew absolutely nothing
now i am an old monk
and still know absolutely nothing
*************
The only relevant information about me now, is that relating to my life as a
monk and spiritual practitioner. But as so many people ask me about my
background, and so much about my life as a drummer seems to be turning up on
the internet (put there by I don’t know who), I decided to extend my basic
biography to include my life before taking up Dharma practice. I could easily
fill a whole book with details about my life, but have kept it basic and simple. If
you don’t want to read all the early stuff, just skip down to the spiritual life.
***
Early life
I was born in St Albans, UK, in March 1948, and was given the name
Christopher Richard Burrows by my parents, who were both Catholics, and they
told me that was what I was (I was given no choice). In those days there was no
preschool play groups, so I was taken along at age 5 to my first school. My
mother took me in to see the teacher who was as nice as pie while my mother
was in the room, but as soon as she had left me alone with the teacher, seeing I
was a little tearful about being left, she slapped me hard and told me to shut up,
and I would not be going home until my other came to collect me later in the
afternoon. From that day (from the moment of that slap) I became a rebel and a
lone wolf, and have remained so (happily) until this day. The only exam I sat
was the eleven plus, which I failed, and never sat another single exam after that.
I did learn to read and write, and add up, which is all I have needed to get me
through. Anything else I have needed I have picked up as I have gone through
life. In those days you could finish school at 15 years old. We broke up for
Christmas just months before my 15th birthday in March, but I refused to go
back. My mother reluctantly agreed, and told me to keep out of sight and not go
out, apart from weekends. When I reached 15, I got a job in a hardware store.
***
Life as a drummer
At the age of 15, I was invited by a friend to go to the jazz club at St Albans
market hall. I knew nothing about music or jazz, but as I sat in the front row
listening to Terry Lightfoot and his jazzmen, I became mesmerised by the
drummer Johnny Richardson. This was to change my life. As I walked home
from the concert I just kept thinking about the drummer, and saying to myself, I
am going to be a drummer, I am going to be a drummer (my first mantra). That
week I went to the music shop and purchased a pair of drumsticks and a drum
teaching book. After doing some detective work, I found that drummer Johnny
Richardson was manager of the music shop “Drum city” in London. I contacted
him and started taking lessons with him. I got my first drum kit on HP (hire
purchase), and started playing with a few local musicians. When I was 17,
although I still was not a very good drummer, I phones a music agency in
London’s west end, and said I was a professional drummer (lie), if they knew of
a band looking for a drummer. A week later they put me in touch with a
professional band from Stoke on Trent called the Hickory stix, who were
looking for a drummer. I went up and auditioned with them, and amazingly got
the job. Playing basic stones type rock, we played most nights all round the
midlands and the north, in clubs like the Cavern in Liverpool. After about one
year I was getting bored with the band, and gave my notice. One week before I
left, we backed a recording band called Rey Anton and the proform. Two weeks
after I left the band I got a call from Rey, saying he heard that I had left and did
I want to join his band. So in 1966, I joined my first recording band at the age of
18, and recorded my first single on parlophone “things get better” (which you
can still hear on youtube). I then went on to do a residency at the London west
end club Quaglinos. I then went on in 1969 to play and record with
Transatlantic recording bands “Circus” (Norwegian wood from the circus album
can be heard on youtube) and “spirit of john morgan”. My final professional
band was “Arthur browns kingdom come”. In the late 90s I recorded 6 solo CDs
for the New beginnings record label, including Tibetan journey and zen
buddhist chanting. All my work in the music industry was done under the name Chris Burrows.
***
The transition from drummer to monk
Although I was doing well as a drummer, getting into better and better bands,
touring, recording, TV etc, and all that went with that lifestyle, I always felt
something was missing in my life. Whatever band I played with, I soon started
to get a bit frustrated, and bored. Thinking that all I am doing as a drummer is
hitting things, there must be more to life than this? And there was! In the late
60s many musicians were getting into meditation, copying the Beatles in their
trip to India etc. Thinking that maybe I should go to meditation as it seemed to
be what everyone else was doing. I had no interest in anything spiritual, this was
purely because it was the in thing amongst musicians. Like the life changing
experience I had when I attended the jazz club in 1963, This first encounter with
meditation and Buddhism was also going to change my life, this time for ever. I
found an ad in Time out magazine for a meditation class in London’s west end.
I went along, and it was run by an English Buddhist teacher Ven.
Sangharakshita. He taught meditation, then after a cup of tea, gave a talk on
Buddhism and answered question. I was hooked from day one. I loved this new
philosophy that I had never heard before. It was so refreshing after the catholic
school upbringing I had been subjected to. Anyway, keeping things short, I was
touring with “circus” at this time, so started reading books on Buddhism and
practicing meditation in my hotel rooms. By the late 70s I knew that this life as
a musician was not going to be conducive to my Buddhist practice. So I decided
to give up the music business and dedicate my life to the Dharma. I was not
planning on becoming a monk then, but as you will see, that is what happened.
To support myself after giving up a life of touring etc, I did a few things,
including running a drum teaching studio, and doing a lot of TV walk on and
supporting artist work, including a stand in for actor Bill Maynard on
“Heartbeat” (a British TV drama).
***
Present life
The spiritual path
Hinayana Theravada Lineage
My first introduction to the spiritual path was in early 1968, when I started
attending classes in Buddhist meditation and philosophy in London, under the
guidance of the Buddhist teacher Ven. Sangharakshita. Later that year I was
taken under the wing of Theravada monk Ven. H Saddhatissa Mahathera of the
London Buddhist vihara, who instructed me in the Tripitaka (the original
teachings of the Buddha) and trained me in Samatha (calming) meditation. I
was also trained at this time, in Vipassana (insight) meditation by the Sri
Lankan meditation master Ven. Ananda Maitreya. Late in 1969, Ven
Saddhatissa authorised me to teach both meditation methods and Buddhist
Dharma. In 1976 Ven Saddhatissa ordained me as a samanera novice monk, and
I was put into training under the guidance of a monk in the Thai forest
Dhutanga tradition, who gave me an excellent foundation in Vinaya.
***
Mahayana Zen Lineage
In 1982, after attending a Zen retreat in London, I was invited to travel to the
Los Angeles Zen center, to train under the guidance of Zen master Taizan
Maezumi Roshi. I was ordained as a monk (Shukke-Tokudo) in the Soto Zen
tradition by Maezumi Roshi in June 1983, and was given the monks name
“Shingen”. I then went on to study both shikantaza and koans under him. I took
ordination with Roshi with the understanding that I would remain as a simple
monk (unsui), as I was not interested in becoming a priest and dealing with the
births, marriages and deaths side of things. I also had no interest in moving up
the ladder and becoming a sensei or roshi, but just remaining a simple monk,
Roshi agreed to this. After Maezumi Roshi’s death, I decided not to
immediately seek out another teacher in the Zen tradition, but to continue to live
as a lone Buddhist monk. I still keep up my Shikantaza and Koan practice, and
remain open to working once again with a traditional Japanese or Chinese Zen master.
***
Advaita Lineage
Since early 2001, in order to investigate the non dualistic Advaita tradition of
Sanatana Dharma and its possible links to the Buddhist tradition, I had been
making regular trips to India. It was on one of these early trips, whilst staying in
Darjeeling, that I came across copies of the Astavakra Samhita and the Avaduta
Gita. Reading these texts had a profound effect on me, and led me to investigate
further the teachings of the Advaita tradition. I also spent time visiting Various
Swamis in the Advaita tradition to discus and receive advice on the practices
and philosophy of the tradition. By 2006 I found himself totally absorbed by,
and practicing, aspects of both the Zen and Advaita traditions.
On 23 rd January 2007, I had the Upanayana samskara (sacred thread ceremony)
performed for me by Sanatana Dharma priest Pandit Bal Gautamji. In this
ceremony, I was given the Yagnopavita sacred thread, and initiated into the
meaning and use of the sacred Gayatri mantra.
***
Tibetan Vajrayana Lineage
In 2010 I decided that I would like to expand my knowledge of the Tibetan
practices by taking ordination into the Vajrayana tradition. On 13 th August 2010
I received the oral transmission of the common preliminaries, and the oral
transmission of the Ngondro practices from the Longchen Nyinthig lineage.
In October 2013, after just over 3 years of intense practice, I completed the
100’000 repetitions of each of the four main ngondro practices.
During February 2013, in a private ceremony, at Leksheyling monastery in
Kathmandu, Choje Lama Phuntsok formally gave me the preliminary monks
vows of the Karma Kagyu tradition. On the 2 nd March, also in a private
ceremony, lasting approx one and a half hours, Choje Lama Phuntsok
gave me the “Vajrakilaya sadhana” empowerment.
In September 2013, I returned to Kathmandu to continue my training with
Choje Lama Phuntsok. I was given the oral transmission of the Vajrakilaya
sadhana, and the oral transmission of the Phowa practice.
On 19 th September 2013, I received the formal Getsul monks vows from Choje
Lama Phuntsok, and four other senior teachers, and was presented with the
“Chugu” (yellow patchwork) monks robe. I was given the Tibetan getsul name“Phuntsok Dorje Zhonnu”
On 1 st September 2014, I received my full Gelong monks vows in the Karma
Kagyu tradition from Ven. Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, at Bokar monastery
in Mirik, North India. I received my Namjar monks robe and monks bowl, and
was given the formal monks name “ Karma Ngedon Drime”.
During August/ September 2014, whilst at Bokar Monastery, I also received
further oral practice instructions from Nyingma terma texts, in the Vajrakilaya
sadhana and Phowa transference of consciousness at the time of death practice,
from Lama Trinle Thaye.
In December 2017 I spent 5 days receiving private 1-to-1transmission and
practice instructions in the tantric practice of Chod from Khenpo Wangchuk
Lama at Leksheyling monastery just outside Kathmandu.
***
A note about lineages
When someone already ordained into one lineage goes on to train in another,
they do not give up the previous lineage, but embraces both. So you may find a
Tibetan monk trained in 2 or 3 Tibetan lineages, such as Nyingma and Kagyu.
The same applies to the Zen tradition, where a monk may train in Soto and
Rinzai. Also, as in my case, a monk may be ordained and trained in several
traditions, such as Zen and Tibetan and retain monks ordination in the lineage of both of them.
***
Vegan practice
As a dedicated practitioner of Bodhicitta and upholder of the Buddhist principle
of Ahimsa (non harming or non violence) I practice a strict vegan lifestyle,
abstaining from all animal based products, in food, clothing or any day to day
items that I use. I became vegetarian as part of my spiritual practice in 1969, but
after investigating the issue further in later years, I realised, that as there was so
much suffering in the honey, dairy, egg and wool industry etc, that to be true to
my personal vows, I would have to follow a total vegan lifestyle, which I have done since 1999.
***
Pranayama and Yoga Nidra
In 2008, I travelled to south India to seek qualified instruction in both
Pranayama yogic breathing and Yoga-nidra deep meditation techniques. I was
trained on a daily 1-to-1 basis by a teacher from the Chennai yoga mission. I
was also authorised by my instructor to teach both methods to students.
***
Qigong
In 2008, I was trained in, and certificated to teach, the Shibashi eighteen forms
of Tai Chi Qigong, In 2010, I was also trained in and qualified to teach the
eighteen advanced forms of Qigong, plus the five animal forms and the six
sound and movement breathing exercises I underwent this training under the
guidance of Tai Chi gold medallist and instructor Robert France.
***
A note about my Dharma names
The meaning of Dharma names is always relevant to the person being ordained,
and is very much personal to them, therefore I will not go into their meaning.
“Shingen”
This is my Japanese zen monks name, given to me by Taizan Maezumi roshi at
my ordination in 1983. Roshi informed me at the ordination, that he was naming
me after Takeda Shingen, a 16 th century samurai warlord, who was also
ordained as a Buddhist. Although the two characters (shin gen) that make up my
name have a different meaning to his.
“Shri Sadhu Dharmavira”
When one becomes a Buddhist monk, they are supposed to give up all past
attachments, so in 2006, I decided that I should really let go of the name given
to me at birth. So I chose a relevant Sanskrit name. The priest who did the
formal naming ceremony for me added the title “shri”. This is now my legal
name on all documents, passport etc.
“Gelong Karma Ngedon Drime”
When I received my Getsul vows in 2013, I was given the monks name
Phuntsok Dorje Zhonnu. Then in 2014, I received my Gelong full monks vows,
so I was given a new Tibetan monks name Karma Ngedon Drime.
I am normally addressed simply as Lama, although many address me as Sadhu
or Dharmavira, and I am also still addressed as Shingen in the zen tradition.
In have also given myself the dharma name “the fool on the mountain”
***
My life now
Although I am ordained as a monk in both the Japanese Soto Zen and Tibetan
karma kagyu traditions, I do not live in a centre or monastery (I am not a fan of institutions),
but share a housewith one other person. This allows me to live a quiet contemplative life.
Although I consider Bokar monastery in Mirik to be my spiritual home, and
Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche to be my root teacher, I live the life of a lone
monk, in the tradition of Shabkar and Ryokan. I have a strict daily
routine, starting my first meditation at 3am, with various Tibetan and Zen
meditations, Sadhanas and practices through the day until I retire at 8pm.
As having a human body is a very valuable opportunity to practice the dharma, I
look after it by doing a mixture of qigong and karate exercises. All my physical training is
done as an extension of my practice, as a form of meditation in action
(zen in motion)).
I eat the same food for breakfast and lunch every day (monks do not eat after
mid day). I only vary this if I am travelling, but I am always strictly vegan.
I live a quiet reclusive life with no interest in publicity or becoming well
known. I practice the Dharma, Read Dharma and poetry books, drink Darjeeling
tea, watch the birds in the garden, write haiku style animal poems and do
Japanese style brushwork.
I now follow the same practice as many of the older lamas/monks/nuns of no longer lying down to sleep. I sleep sitting up in my robes, and cover myself with an extra blanket if it is cold.
I have no interest or connection with such thing such as facebook, twitter
or any other form of social media.
***
Dharma teaching
I do take on students on a private 1-to-1 basis. I work to the traditional face to face teaching method.
Please see the “1-to-1” page on my website for details.
I have no secretary or assistants, there is just me, a lone monk (the fool on the mountain).
***
final stages of this present sojourn into samsara
In October 2022 I was diagnosed with myeloma (bone cancer). I am receiving various treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy etc. This type of cancer can’t be cured, but can be kept at bay for a while. Normally up to about 5 years, but it can just kick in, and finish me off in a few weeks.
I am keeping up with my regular practices and monks life style, and also working with a medicine buddha sadhana, plus of course phowa practice, as it is my intension to enter the realm of sukhavati for a short rest, before attempting rebirth again on planet earth, so that I can continue my work at helping those suffering in the animal realm.
I am continuing to work with my existing students, and will work with new students if my health allows it.
If and when I move on from samsara, and head west to the realms of sukhavati, I have arranged for someone to notify everyone on the newsletter page.
I have paid for my cremation with “pure cremation” who will take away and cremate my body, and scatter the ashes on their gardens.
But for now, I am still getting on with my life as a monk, so please do keep in touch and ask for any advice by emailing me via the “contact” page.
DEATH POEM
In the Zen tradition, when you are close to death, it is the custom for monks to write a short death poem, expressings their understanding of the dharma. As the time of my death is unpredictable, I have already writen my death poem: here it is
“no arriving
no participating
no departing
mu”
MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL.
LAMA