Larry Ward

Adjunct Faculty

Director, The Lotus Institute 

CLAS Director, Palomar Pomerado Health System 

Adjunct Faculty, Claremont Graduate University 

Dharmacharaya, Order of Interbeing, Ordained by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh 

Ph.D. Student, Religious Studies, Major in Buddhism 

Co-Author (with Peggy Rowe-Ward), Love’s Garden: A Guide to Mindful Relationships (Parallax Press, 2008) 

Keynote Speaker, UNESCO Vesak Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam (2008) 

Consultant, Educator, Philosopher

Larry Ward was deeply inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and has spent his life committed to non-violent social change, healing, and transformation on a global level. In his capacity as International Director of the Institute of Cultural Affairs He served in leadership programs in 35 countries engaged in socio-economic development projects in urban and rural areas. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Organizational Behavior and has worked with multinational and national corporations in organizational development as a consultant and executive coach.

Larry Ward is an ordained Christian Minister since 1972 and received Dharma Teacher Transmission in 2000 by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a leading proponent of Engaged Buddhism in the United States and leads retreats in mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism around the world (i.e. Vietnam, China, Korea, Canada, Mexico, France and the United States). On behalf of the Unified Buddhist Church, he helped to found Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California and is a trusted and valued advisor to his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. He has founded and led sanghas/congregations in the U.S. He provides pastoral care, counseling and mentors students and Zen priests in the Order of Inter-being. Larry Ward has served as spiritual educator and advisor as part of the Ecumenical team of clergy with Hospice of Santa Barbara.

Larry Ward is currently a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies with a major in Buddhism. He is Director of The Lotus Institute, a non-profit religious and educational institution, and is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Claremont Graduate University where he has co-taught the course, “Working Mindfully with Marginalized Children and Youth” with Dr. Lourdes Arguellas. He is currently employed at California’s largest public hospital district as the director of cultural and linguistic services. In his leisure time, Larry Ward enjoys playing golf.