Ven. Dr. Douglas Myeong'il Cheolsoeng Gentile is a Bhikṣu monk and Zen teacher. He first became interested in Chan Buddhism when he was about 8, watching the show Kung Fu with David Carradine. He grew up to become a developmental research psychologist who studies how television and the media influence children. Apparently, he should have conducted the research on himself.

He began studying Buddhism in about 1989, but most of that practice was solitary until 2005 when the Mindfulness & Meditation group started in Ames. He completed a three-year secular Buddhist studies certificate, and a meditation teacher training with the multi-lineage Interdependence Project. He studied personally with Ethan Nichtern (Shambhala lineage; founder of the IDP) before finding his root teacher, Most Ven. Wonji Dharma. He completed seminary at Buddha Dharma University, and was granted Inga (full teaching authority) by Ven. Wonji Dharma. He sometimes teaches at Pure Land Temple of Iowa and at the Interdependence Project (until it closed in 2025). He received the transmission name Myeong'il (明日 - Bright Sun) in 2024 from his current teacher, Most. Ven. Myohye Do'an.

He is the author of several published books and audiobooks, including: 

• Finding the Freedom to Get Unstuck and be Happier
• Buddhism 101: How to Walk Easily over Rough Ground
• Meditation: The Busy Person's Guide to Cultivating Compassion and Positive Mind States 

I began practicing with the Ames Mahasangha around 2006.  Over time my interest in Buddhism grew and developed with guidance from Ven. Myeong'il and the support and encouragement of our meditation group.  Taking the first Five Precepts was a big step for me in affirming the importance of this path in my life and my commitment to deepen my studies and practice in order to serve others. I have taken full monastic bhikṣuṇī vows, and received Inga in 2024.
 
I work in the printing industry and live in central Iowa with my husband.  We enjoy camping, biking and traveling, and I love to cook, garden, and go exploring around Iowa with my friends.

Ven. Minshim Prajñā (Dr. Neal J. Sivula) became interested in Buddhism through his training as a Veterinary Acupuncturist. He is a Veterinarian and ordained as a Priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order. He received Inga (full teaching authority) on July 27, 2019 from Most Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma.  Ven. Minshim has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine, as well as a M.Div. in Buddhist Ministry from Buddha Dharma University.

He is passionate about bringing Buddhist traditions into the lives of interested practitioners from every walk of life. He also practices Holistic Veterinary Medicine in Richfield, Ohio and shares his home with his wife and a myriad of cats and dogs. He teaches continuing education courses for Veterinarians on both Holistic Medicine and Practitioner Wellness topics.

I am a Bhikṣu and Zen teacher with the Ames Mahasangha, practicing, teaching, and studying under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Douglas Myeong'il Cheolsoeng Gentile.

I started my Buddhist journey almost four decades ago, remaining a solitary practitioner for most of that time. In 1995, I formally took Five Layman Vows with Ven. Hung I at the Jade Buddha Temple in Houston, TX. In 2019, I joined FMZO (the Five Mountains Zen Order), lead at the time by Most Ven. Wonji Dharma, enrolled in BDU (Buddha Dharma University), and started a personal practice under the guidance of Ven. Cheolsoeng. I ordained as a priest (Pujari) with the Ames Mahasangha. I took Bhikṣu vows in 2023, and received Inga (full teaching authority) in 2024.

In the silence of a hermitage
In the din of a marketplace
the soundless sound of the formless bell
calls all to liberation

I joined the Ames Mahasangha Mindfulness and Meditation group in the Summer of 2016. Meditating with them was helpful and motivating. After joining Ven. Myeong-il (Douglas Gentile’s) Buddhist Studies class in 2017, I became interested in Buddhism and have since taken the Precepts. I was ordained to the priesthood in June 2022 and a Dharma Holder in September 2024.

My Buddhist education includes participating in three years of Ethan Nichtern's Ongoing Buddhist Studies, earning a Mindfulness and Meditation Teaching certificate from Triple Gem of the North in 2024, and taking 16 courses toward a Buddhist Studies Certificate from Buddha Dharma University. I plan to earn an M.Div.

I have deepened my practice and commitment to following the precepts, studying the dharma, and supporting the members of my sangha and the larger community. The best part of my path has been the relationships within the sangha and the connections to kind people committed to helping each other follow the Four Noble Truths.

I’m enjoying retirement because it gives me time to pursue my interests, such as gardening, spending time with my granddaughter, traveling with my husband, doing activities with friends, and hanging out with our three rescue dogs. 

I first encountered the Dharma in 1994 with a book in the Theravadan tradition by Jack Kornfield. I continued to study on my own over the years and benefited greatly from subscribing to Tricycle the Buddhist Review, which exposed me to a range of Buddhist traditions. In 2018 I was fortunate to attend a retreat led by Ven. Myeong'il, and with his encouragement I joined the Sangha in Ames Iowa and took Five Precepts. Since then I have continued to study with Ven. Myeong'il and the Ames Sangha, ordaining as a Priest in 2022.  I received Dharma Holder status in 2024.

I am so grateful to my teacher and the Ames Mahasangha. Having practiced so long on my own, I have immense appreciation for the support of others in the Dharma. The aim of my practice is to realize and embody the teachings in all aspects of my daily life, cultivating the capacity to be of benefit to all beings.

As a Novitiate I offered in this space that life is full of opportunities to give up or turn away from the dharma and that still feels true. I’ve had to be creative, disciplined, and at times maybe even a bit reckless to hold to this way of life against outside social pressures.  I wrote that my spiritual path is similar to a decrepit man riding a turtle up a mountain and that also still feels true. I started learning about Buddhism while I was married, going to school, in the military, with a young(er) daughter in my 20’s. So it has been a bit like that, at least in terms of formal learning and practice. I will say since fully ordaining rather than using the metaphor of climbing a mountain, if one holds to the intent day after day to live the path, you’ll find that you’re there.

These days, I’m working towards an M. Div with Naropa. In that program we study ministry, chaplaincy, and spiritual care, all with a Buddhist inflection. I will potentially start a Soto Zen graduate certificate with the Institute of Buddhist Studies (fingers crossed for the return of their Japanese language courses). I have Ven. Jiguang to practice with and learn from regularly as the seasons, classes, and challenges come into and out of existence. Can you believe it!?

Did these words help you awaken?

I first encountered Buddhism during my long association with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). I began my Buddhist studies (Pure Land) and took my Refuge Vows with Ven. Hung I of Jade Buddha Temple in Houston. I am a retired RN and currently an end-of-life doula, artist, and teacher of textile arts. I am very happy to study and practice with Ames Mahasangha, and look forward to deepening my practice with this wonderful group of people. Thank you for this excellent opportunity!

A relative newcomer, I found my way to Buddhism after taking up mindfulness meditation during the pandemic. Inspired by the guided meditations and teachings of Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg, I attended a 7-day silent metta (lovingkindness) retreat at IMS (Insight Meditation Society). It was an unexpectedly profound experience. The way I related to my suffering shifted as I began to recognize the thoughts and beliefs that long defined me, didn’t. Stepping back into my normal life after that week, my whole way of being felt different. Time slowed down. I was more patient and better able to listen. I felt connected – among the world rather than a part, apart. This was worthy of further cultivation. A few weeks later I joined the Ames Mahasangha, committed to deepening my practice and supporting others on the path.

I started Zen practice back in 2003, following an unexpected encounter with Fritjof Capra’s book The Tao of Physics. Since that time, like a spinning compass needle placed in a magnetic field, my life has been oriented toward practicing and upholding the buddhadharma. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s not the retreats you attend or the ceremonies in which you participate that you remember, but the kalyanamitras (spiritual friends) you meet along the way. While no one can do the work of awakening for us, working closely with a teacher and good sangha friends is essential for realizing the Way in our own lives. I am very grateful for the opportunity to practice with Ames Mahasangha and look forward to giving back, in whatever way I can, to a tradition from which I myself have gained so much.

May all beings be safe, happy, and free from suffering!

Before joining Ames Mahasangha, my journey into Buddhism began with reading Buddhism 101: How to Walk Easily over Rough Ground by Douglas Gentile. This book had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to explore further. When I learned about a meditation group led by Douglas himself, I felt compelled to reach out and join. In 2021, I became part of Ames Mahasangha, which has since become my spiritual home. On November 3, 2024, I have taken the ten precepts to become a novitiate. Living in Ames, I continue to deepen my practice and strengthen my connection with the community.

In 2003, I encountered Buddhism and within a short time had signed up for a retreat with Bhante Gunaratana and received the precepts from him.  I continued to practice and attend retreats, moving to the Bhavana Society in W. Virginia to study under Bhante G.  After leaving the monastery, I started regularly attending Soto Zen group sittings and sesshins.  In 2017, through heavy craving and delusion, I ended up in prison, where I continued to practice and study in this raw environment.  I started attending and eventually leading the Buddhist group.  Looking at how I'd been practicing, I saw that it was mostly all about me and my ego, and that I was causing myself and others greater harm than good.  In July of 2018 I received the 16 Bodhisattva precepts from Venerable Zuiko Redding (of the Cedar Rapids Zen Center). Shortly after this, I met Ven. Myeong'il Cheolsoeng and decided to become a novice priest in the Ames Mahasangha in 2019, so that I could expand and deepen my practice to include more than myself.  (Ross Doko Keller returned to the stream in 2024, and is missed greatly.)