Stephen K. Hayes - Buddhism

Buddhism

Hayes is an ordained practitioner of esoteric Tendai mikkyo Buddhism. He apprenticed under Dr. Clark Jikai Choffy, an ordained Tendai priest and personal disciple of Jion Haba, the bishop of Tokyo's Reisho-in temple. He received empowerments and teachings from Dr. Choffy, received transmission in the Homan Ryu school of Tendai esoteric Buddhism, and in 1991 he received Tokudo priesthood ordination in Tendai Buddhism. Hayes has founded a Buddhist Order based on his teachings and experiences with Tibetan Buddhism and Tendai, called the Blue Lotus Assembly.

When travelling in Tibet, Hayes met the Dalai Lama in 1987. The two were at a conference in the United States when the Dalai Lama learned that he had received the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize and Hayes assisted with the unexpected security concerns as reporters arrived. For many years in the 1990s, Hayes served as Dalai Lama's personal protection escort and security adviser, especially during visits to the United States.