Zhi, Chuan: - Chuan Zhi Shakya, ordained in 1998 in southern China, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in the Linji (Rinzai) Chan tradition. Raised in a non-religious household in southern Illinois, he draws on his unique background as a physicist and software engineer to bridge the worlds of Eastern spirituality and contemporary thought. His writing seamlessly blends intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and compassionate understanding, offering fresh, accessible perspectives on Chan Buddhism's rich history and profound teachings, establishing him as a vital voice in modern Buddhist thought.