Buddha Zhen
American Zen = Peace of Mind
A spiritual journey that began in 1991 with Zen Buddhism then discovered Taoism, then Confucianism, then the Sweat Lodge, pipe ceremony and vision quest of the Lakota Sioux, ending with a view of the afterlife on Memorial Day 2014.
So what. You talked to God. Viewed a couple Heavens with your soul separated from your body. Spirits talked to you while staying at home raising your kids as a Mr. Mom for 15 years. So what, you lived on the street sharing a Tacoma truck with your black cat for six years teaching junkies and hookers Tai Chi Chuan. So what, you created three Shaolin Kung Fu systems that you improved lives with in prisons, rehabs, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, continuing education programs, churches and contracted your programs to Salt Lake Parks & Recreation for seven years. Los Angeles Parks & Recreation hired you for another seven years while working for a YWCA and two YMCAs for 14 years.
You saved lives, stopped suicidal tendencies, lessened violence, never allowed sparring from 1984 to 2022 in any of your schools and programs and somehow not one single student of yours ever lost a fight or was defeated by a mugger or rapist.
Now you want to END ALL WARS?
Yes.
Our approach
Mission of American Zen
We have proven we can reduce violence and create PEACE OF MIND in smart people, murderers, soldiers, youth and women.
Tai Chi Youth is a nonprofit founded by Richard Del Connor in 1996 while teaching in prisons and rehabilitation centers. This program is all that people need to become nice people. Healthy people have more peace of mind than unhealthy people. Smart people make better choices that stupid people. Compassionate people help people to be happy more than greedy people.
Tai Chi Youth teaches people to be healthy, smart, compassionate , and happy with peace of mind.
Our Vision
War is unnecessary. Everyone suffers.
In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine and threw the entire planet into chaos and financial havoc. War is stupid.
Our Partners
No sparring = females rank highest in TCY
Since 1984 NO SPARRING has been allowed in the Shaolin Chi Mantis, Buddha Kung Fu, or Tai Chi Youth schools founded by Richard Del Connor “Buddha Zhen” who was certified in 1994 by Grandmaster Wong Jack Man (who fought Bruce Lee in 1964).
Without girls /women being punched and kicked in our classes they have achieved the highest levels of all Shaolin Kung Fu schools and learned how to protect themselves in Richard’s schools that HAVE NO SPARRING RULES. Students are NOT allowed to fight UNLESS their life is threatened–and they are not allowed to lose.
