Mayalsian-born MASTER JI RU received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu in both the Theravada and Chan traditions, and is an internationally renowned monk and dharma author. He is abbot for MABA, IBFA, and the North Shore Meditation Center. He resides at the Mid-America Buddhist Association (MABA) in Augusta, Missouri.

BHIKSHUNI CHIMIU has been practicing since the age of eight when she entered into Jing Hui Yuan in Hong Kong. She received her novice vows as a nun in 1963, and her higher ordination as a bhikshuni in 1967. She came to the United States in 1993, first practicing at Chuang Yen Monastery and The Temple of Enlightenment in New York. In 1999 she moved to the Mid-America Buddhist Association (MABA), where she practiced as a student of Master Ji Ru. In 2001, she moved to MABA's sister Temple in Chicago, the International Buddhism Friendship Association (IBFA/Enlightenment Temple) where she is the Senior monastic.

BIKSHUNI KONGZHENG was ordained as a Buddhist nun at Shuicao Buddhist Nunnery, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province in Aug. 1989. She studied Buddhism at Chenglin Hall in Fujian from Feb. 1990 to Jan 1991. She continued her study at Minnan Buddhist College in Feb. 1991, and gratuated in Dec. 1996. She received her higher ordination in 1996. She became a Buddhist teacher of Shuicao Buddhist Nunnery, Nanjing City in 1997. Later, she taught at the Buddhist Training Class of Zhongde Temple, Fujian in 1998. She joined MABA in Jan. 2002 and became a resident nun at IBFA in 2007.

Lay teacher KATTY CHOI received a masters degree from Hong Kong University in Buddhist Studies. She has written various research papers in Chinese and English, and helped in the translation of articles presented at the First World Buddhist Forum hosted by China in 2006. She also teaches at the Mid-America Buddhist Associatio.

XIANYANG CARL JEROME currently teaches meditation and the dharma in Highland Park, IL at the North Shore Meditation & Dharma Center, as well as at the Recreation Center of Highland Park,  and in Northbrook the Cancer Wellness Center. He leads retreats and workshops in Saint Louis and at the Mid-America Buddhist Association (MABA), his home monastery.

NILDA CARLOhas been meditating and studying Buddhism with Xianyang Carl Jerome at IBFA and the North Shore Meditation and Dharma Center for two years. She is currently involved in a longterm contemplative study of the Diamond Sutra. Nilda teaches in both English and Spanish.

MATT JOHNSON has been involved in martial arts for most of his life. His martial arts training led him to Buddhism and meditation. He is founder of The Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy in Chicago. Matt began his formal meditation and study practice in 2006 with IBFA’s Abbot, Master Ji Ru, and with Xianyang Carl Jerome at the North Shore Meditation and Dharma Center in Highland Park.

HILLARY JOHNSON has practiced the meditative arts, off and on, for the better part of two decades. In 2006 she began a formal meditation and study practice IBFA’s Abbot, Master Ji Ru, and with Xianyang Carl Jerome at the North Shore Meditation and Dharma Center in Highland Park. Hillary founded Calm Chicago in 2009, which offers classes in Tai Chi, Qigong and meditation.