Years ago, in the heart of Mt. Kailas, the most powerful spiritual center of the Himalayas, Tibetan practioners of several ancient esoteric Buddhist lineages unified themselves to create the Rimè tradition (part of the Tantrayana) which was brought here by Dr. Ajari. Members of St. John's Order continue this nonsectarian tradition today. He brought us the practices of Nyingma, Sakyapa, Kargyu (Tibetan), Shingon, Tendai, Shugendo (Japanese) and the contemplative spirit and liturgical rites of the Old Believers.

Tantric Buddhism from Japan has rarely been taught in the West unlike Tibetan Buddhism so this gives us the unique opportunity to not only do these practices but to pass them on to others' as well. We combine them with practices from Tibet as well as continuing to embrace our Christian heritage, allowing us to explore and appreciate the similarities and the differences between Buddhism and Christianity.

Our spiritual life is centered in prayer life (Mantrayana) and includes fire Puja, sacramental ritual, devotional worship and meditation.

Since Dr. Ajari passed from the body in December of 1993, Sisters' Mandarava & Nairatma, longtime practioners of these unique teachings, pass on the lineage providing leadership and training.  Dr. Ajari taught that living in a spiritual community is the most effective way to progress on the path.  We were very blessed to have spent 25 years living in community with our teacher and other Order members.  We two sisters' continue sharing the vagaries of life together and supporting one another in our spiritual life, we are each other's teacher.  We decided to remain in San Francisco as this is where Dr. Ajari estabished the Order in 1968, and where he did his teaching.  Also, there are people in the Bay Area who continue to benefit from his teachings and are a part of our community though they live as householders.  In 2005 we moved to Los Angeles.

In keeping with the idea of spiritual community, our Bishop, William Green, another longtime Order member has gone on to develop a spiritual community in Columbia Missouri.  He went there as a professor of religious studies at Columbia University.  He is a very inspiring teacher who has brought many years of experience in the Dharma to his students and Order members.  He incorporates Tibetan Buddhism, Russian Orthodoxy and Japanese Esotericism.  He welcome's new students and visitors  to the community.

Another longtime member of the Order, V.K. Leary Keisho has gone on to become an ordained priest in the Japanese Buddhist esoteric tradition of Tendai.  Recenty, he spent 5 consecutive years in Japan for training and ordination.  He is currently living and building a temple in the rural area of Cobb Mtn., Calif.  He primarily embodies the teachings of Tendai, incorporating Dr. Ajari's teachings as well.  He welcome's visitors and serious students interested in training following the Tendai path.