Larry Ward, PhD, director of the Lotus Institute, is a dharma teacher ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh. In his book, Love's Garden, coauthored by his wife, Peggy Rowe, he teaches how to use the practice of mindfulness to navigate the difficulties in relationships and uncover one's own innate wisdom and courage to create a loving partnership.
Deeply inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Larry Ward has spent his life committed to nonviolent 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.
Ordained as a Christian minister in 1972, Ward received the Dharma teacher transmission in 2000 from Thich Nhat Hanh. A leading proponent of engaged Buddhism in the United States, and a valued advisor to his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Ward leads retreats in mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism internationally.
Larry Ward has founded and led sanghas and congregations throughout the United States, where he provides pastoral care, counseling, and mentors students and Zen priests in the Order of Inter-Being.