Visiting Teacher: Larry Ward

What is the subject of your dharma talk with Tricycle? The subject of my talk is the transformative power of boundless love, rooted in the teachings of the Metta Sutta. We’ll explore how loving-kindness can serve as both a personal refuge and a collective path toward healing in these uncertain times.

What drew you to Buddhist practice? I spent two years in India, where I had many experiences with Zen temples and Buddhist practice. I initially encountered Thich Nhat Hanh through my wife, and later went on to complete a doctorate in religious studies with a focus on Buddhism and neuroscience.

Before India, I had been studying Buddhism intellectually, but it was my time there that gave me a direct taste of the practice. After that, wherever I traveled—whether in Hong Kong, Japan, or elsewhere—I always connected with a temple where I could continue practicing.

What is the most common question new students bring to you? One question I often hear is: “Is there any conflict for you between your Christian heritage and your Buddhist practice?”

How do you respond? No, I don’t experience it as a conflict. I experience it as an empowerment. Since becoming more conscious of both traditions, my connection to Christianity feels more alive than ever. For me, they enhance and nourish each other. The Buddhist emphasis on compassion, kindness, and inclusiveness aligns deeply with the essence of my Christian roots and my commitment to social justice. I don’t think of these traditions as separate systems of rules or formulas. I relate to them as sources of precious energy that live within me.

Can you describe a feeling of doubt or uncertainty in your practice and how you overcame it? A Korean Zen master once said, “Only don’t know.” A lot of my early Zen practice centered on doubt. For me, doubt means staying open to what might unfold. You may think you know what you’re going to do, but life has its own way of happening. So for me doubt is the ground of the practice coming to terms with the mystery of life.

Who do you consider your ancestors—biological ancestors; lineage holders, poets, writers, artists—and what does the practice of invoking them look like? I’ve spent a lot of time reading and studying—from the Six Patriarchs of Buddhism through many traditions, including the Yogacara and its profound teachings in Buddhist psychology. My focus has always been on how these teachings can be applied in daily life. If a teaching doesn’t help me live more skillfully or joyfully day-to-day, then I don’t see a reason to apply it—it might be interesting, but the real question is: Does it help?

In our backyard, there’s a statue of St. Francis, and I’ve visited Assisi more than once. I’ve sat in the temple where he worshipped, been ordained in front of the robe, and walked the same paths he once walked. The Prayer of St. Francis is in perfect alignment with Buddhist practice.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

They are unified in that prayer.

Tell us a bit about your favorite non-Buddhist book. My favorite book right now is The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist. It’s grounded in neuroscience and explores how, over the past 500 years, Western civilization has become increasingly dominated by the left hemisphere of the brain, often at the expense of the wisdom and insight offered by the right hemisphere. I love books—my garage is full of them.

Who was your teacher, and how did you meet them? I’ve had many teachers over the years, but speaking specifically about my Buddhist lineage, my primary teacher is Thich Nhat Hanh. I’ve also been fortunate to study with several other masters along the way.

I first met Thich Nhat Hanh at a retreat he was leading in California, which my wife, Peggy, had invited me to attend. Before that, I remember seeing a flyer about him. I also remember a conversation with Andrew Young, who mentioned “a little monk from Vietnam” who had tried to convince Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to speak out against the war. That moment stuck with me, and, years later, it became clear that the monk was Thich Nhat Hanh. I met him in person around 1990.

Please tell us about the work of The Lotus Institute. The Lotus Institute is about recognizing and empowering individuals and communities who are committed to compassion and wisdom in action.  Through our teachings and ongoing programs, we support people in living with greater mindfulness, presence, and purpose.

We also offer a membership program that provides deeper access to teachings, guided practices, and a supportive community space for continued learning and connection.

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In September 2025, watch Larry Ward’s Dharma Talk at tricycle.org/dharmatalks.