About Antony
Antony S. Galbraith (Ven. Myohye Do'an) is a bhikṣu (fully ordained Zen buddhist monk), Zen Master, and contemplative artist and writer, living in Oneida, NY
He attended State University of New York at Oswego, receiving a Bachelor's (B.A.) degree with a dual major of Philosophy and Writing. He received a master's (M.F.A.) degree from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont and later attended seminary receiving a Masters of Divinity (M.div) from Buddha Dharma University.
Meditation and spiritual practice has been a guiding force in his life since he was a child. Beginning with a fascination with the natural world and the spiritual practices of the East and later developing interest in exploring the arts and finally devoting his life to spiritual practice and service.
After studying Eastern Philosophy and the Philosophy of Religion as an undergrad. During his undergraduate years he trained and participated in non-violent conflict resolution and social change. He was asked to give presentations on non-violent theory and practice at several classes while at SUNY Oswego. He went on to explore morality and ethics through writing and fairy tale literature while in graduate school at Goddard College. Soon after receiving his MFA, he became an avid practitioner of Sivananda Yoga for several years and then moved on to becoming a devoted lay practitioner of Zen Buddhism.
In 2001 he began formalizing his practice in anticipation of training to become a Buddhist monk, first under the guidance of Ven. MyoJi Sunim JDPS, with the Cho Gye Sa Zen Temple of New York and Kwan Um School of Zen. He committed much of his spare time to practicing with and learning from Ven. MyoJi, spending three days a week for over two years living at the New York Cho Gye Sa Temple in Woodside, Queens (now located in Manhattan). He attended several events and participated in ceremonies throughout New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island with his teacher. In 2002 he traveled to South Korea to attend the World is a Single Flower Conference and acted as Ven. MyoJi's assistant while traveling throughout Korea visiting Temples and lay practitioners. One of the highlights of this life-changing trip was the opportunity to sit with Zen Master Seung Sahn in a personal interview.
His formal training was put on hold when he was guided to explore the role of art in his life. Shortly after he began a career as an artist, exploring symbolism and myth through painting. He also became a fiber artist, creating needle-felted sculptures of pets and totem animals, and a spinner and weaver. All of his art and craft work was guided by a contemplative practice that he learned, first through yoga and then during his formal training in Zen.
In 2013, he resumed his formal training in Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma of the Five Mountain Zen Order. In the summer of 2016, he received ordination under the name Do'an Prajna (Thích Hiển Đạo), which mean's "Wise Vision", following in the tradition of Zen Master Seung Sahn (Korean Seon) and Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân (Vietnamese Thiên). He was appointed as the Chief Abbot for the Five Mountain Zen Order in 2015 and serves as Dean at Buddha Dharma University, the seminary for the Five Mountain Zen Order. In 2019, he received Transmission, conferring the title of Zen Master, and dharma name Ven. Myohye Do'an (Profoundly Wise) by the founder of the Five Mountain Zen Order, Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma.
In addition to offering individual and group teaching and guidance, Antony continues to explore the contemplative arts, and living each moment with Compassion, Attention and Gratitude. In 2014, he established the Lotus Heart Zen Meditation and Study Group in Oneida, NY and continues to be the guiding teacher. He lives with two small dogs, several fish, birds, and plants in Oneida, NY in a 115 year old house, which he calls Lotus Heart Zen Temple, built by his great grandparents.
He attended State University of New York at Oswego, receiving a Bachelor's (B.A.) degree with a dual major of Philosophy and Writing. He received a master's (M.F.A.) degree from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont and later attended seminary receiving a Masters of Divinity (M.div) from Buddha Dharma University.
Meditation and spiritual practice has been a guiding force in his life since he was a child. Beginning with a fascination with the natural world and the spiritual practices of the East and later developing interest in exploring the arts and finally devoting his life to spiritual practice and service.
After studying Eastern Philosophy and the Philosophy of Religion as an undergrad. During his undergraduate years he trained and participated in non-violent conflict resolution and social change. He was asked to give presentations on non-violent theory and practice at several classes while at SUNY Oswego. He went on to explore morality and ethics through writing and fairy tale literature while in graduate school at Goddard College. Soon after receiving his MFA, he became an avid practitioner of Sivananda Yoga for several years and then moved on to becoming a devoted lay practitioner of Zen Buddhism.
In 2001 he began formalizing his practice in anticipation of training to become a Buddhist monk, first under the guidance of Ven. MyoJi Sunim JDPS, with the Cho Gye Sa Zen Temple of New York and Kwan Um School of Zen. He committed much of his spare time to practicing with and learning from Ven. MyoJi, spending three days a week for over two years living at the New York Cho Gye Sa Temple in Woodside, Queens (now located in Manhattan). He attended several events and participated in ceremonies throughout New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island with his teacher. In 2002 he traveled to South Korea to attend the World is a Single Flower Conference and acted as Ven. MyoJi's assistant while traveling throughout Korea visiting Temples and lay practitioners. One of the highlights of this life-changing trip was the opportunity to sit with Zen Master Seung Sahn in a personal interview.
His formal training was put on hold when he was guided to explore the role of art in his life. Shortly after he began a career as an artist, exploring symbolism and myth through painting. He also became a fiber artist, creating needle-felted sculptures of pets and totem animals, and a spinner and weaver. All of his art and craft work was guided by a contemplative practice that he learned, first through yoga and then during his formal training in Zen.
In 2013, he resumed his formal training in Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma of the Five Mountain Zen Order. In the summer of 2016, he received ordination under the name Do'an Prajna (Thích Hiển Đạo), which mean's "Wise Vision", following in the tradition of Zen Master Seung Sahn (Korean Seon) and Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân (Vietnamese Thiên). He was appointed as the Chief Abbot for the Five Mountain Zen Order in 2015 and serves as Dean at Buddha Dharma University, the seminary for the Five Mountain Zen Order. In 2019, he received Transmission, conferring the title of Zen Master, and dharma name Ven. Myohye Do'an (Profoundly Wise) by the founder of the Five Mountain Zen Order, Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma.
In addition to offering individual and group teaching and guidance, Antony continues to explore the contemplative arts, and living each moment with Compassion, Attention and Gratitude. In 2014, he established the Lotus Heart Zen Meditation and Study Group in Oneida, NY and continues to be the guiding teacher. He lives with two small dogs, several fish, birds, and plants in Oneida, NY in a 115 year old house, which he calls Lotus Heart Zen Temple, built by his great grandparents.
Help Antony with his mission to cultivate and spread Compassion, Attention, and Gratitude
(Please note that monetary gifts are not tax-deductible at this time.)
The practice of giving is, world over, recognized as one of the most basic and innate of human virtues. It is a quality that demonstrates the depth of one's humanity and capacity for self-transcendence. Dana paramita, which means "perfection of giving", is considered a Buddhist virtue to be cultivated. In the Buddhist tradition, the teachings are considered so precious as to be priceless. Thus they are given freely, with the opportunity to offer voluntary donations, or dana. Giving is one of the essential preliminary steps of Buddhist practice, as it is the basis of generating wholesome karma. When giving is combined with Skillful Thought, Skillful Concentration, and Skillful Action, it is done without attachment or expectation of anything in return. Giving then becomes the fertilizer for cultivating gratitude.
How to offer dana: Monetary gifts are the easiest and most useful form of dana. (See the Monetary Gift button above.) However, Antony recognizes that, for some, money is not a bountiful resource and accepts many forms of dana given to support his efforts to help and serve. If money is an obstacle to practicing giving, dana in other forms may be accepted, please contact Antony to discuss options.
How to offer dana: Monetary gifts are the easiest and most useful form of dana. (See the Monetary Gift button above.) However, Antony recognizes that, for some, money is not a bountiful resource and accepts many forms of dana given to support his efforts to help and serve. If money is an obstacle to practicing giving, dana in other forms may be accepted, please contact Antony to discuss options.