Ryusho Jeffus

Nichiren Shu Buddhist priest. My home temple is Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Temple, in Charlotte, NC. You may visit the temple's web page by going to http://www.myoshoji.org. I founded this temple in August 2007 and the temple was officially recognized as a Nichiren Shu temple by the Nichiren Order of North America and by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Bureau in October 2008. Members and supporters of Myosho-ji live all over the East Coast of the United States. We also serve the occasional needs of members living in various parts of the world via our online video stream.

I work as a Chaplain at two hospitals in the Carolinas Medical Center system in Charlotte, NC USA. My interest in working with persons who are ill began in the early 80′s at the beginning of the AIDS/SIDA epidemic. At first it was several close friends who were dying and had been abandoned by friends and society. Later I would be told about or introduced to others dying and asked if I could help. Several years ago an opportunity presented itself for me to begin to receive some formal training in providing spiritual care to the sick and dying. It has been a rewarding experience. It is my hope that I eventually become a Board Certified Chaplain.

Several times a year I make visits to Buddhist inmates incarcerated in a US Federal Prison. This is something I only recently began doing and it has been an interesting experience. There is an ongoing and great need to provide spiritual direction and support to these individuals.

I have received training in Healing Touch an energy based healing practice. It has been a rewarding experience training in this professionally recognized healing modality. Currently I have completed Level II as a Healing Touch Student.

I am a member of the North Carolina Chaplains Association, and the Association of Professional Chaplains.

I continue to do volunteer work with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network caring for individuals who are HIV+ or who have AIDS/SIDA.

In my spare time my favorite activities are reading and walking my dog. I also play flute in the Charlotte Pride Band, a great bunch of folks who welcome musicians of all ability levels. The mission of the Pride Band is to promote the value and respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.

As time permits I support and participate in the interfaith activities of various organizations and churches in the Charlotte area that are working to promote equality and respect for LGBTQ individuals. Lately I have been doing some work with Time Out Youth providing instruction in how to meditate as well as facilitating a couple of workshop sessions on Nonviolent Communication.

Education:

Bachelor Art - Portland State University - Arts & Letters

Master of Divinity (Equivalency granted by Association of Professional Chaplains) - Buddhist Studies