The BCNY Officers
President: Rev. Doyeon Park is a Gyomunim, meaning one who devotes oneself to teach Buddha dharma in the Won Buddhist tradition. She has served as a minister of the Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple and a representative of Won Buddhism to the United Nations since 2008. Also, she is the Buddhist chaplain at Columbia University and New York University, and the co-chair of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations.
Vice President: Ven. Aluthgama Dhammajothi was ordained as a novice monk in 1971 in accordance with the tradition, and practice of Theravada Buddhism in Kollura Sri Walagamba Rajamahaviharaya, Polgahawela. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colombo. Further, he received a Diploma in Education in 1992. He has worked as a teacher and also as a High School principal in Sri Lanka for many years. In 1993, he was invited to New York Buddhist Vihara to serve as a resident monk. Since then, he has been doing many religious activities while giving leadership to many events of the New York Buddhist Vihara.
Vice President: Rev. James A. Lynch, Jr. is a Dharma Teacher as authorized by the lay Buddhist Organization Rissho Kosei Kai. He is an official representative for Rissho Kosei Kai to the United Nations. James sits on the Board of Religions for Peace USA, and is a Trustee to the prestigious international Parliament of World Religions. James is a tenured professor and Chairman of the Business Management Department in the Koppelman School of Business located at Brooklyn College, where he teaches Workplace Happiness and Spirituality.
Vice President: Sylvie Sun is a board member of Buddhist Global Relief and has been practicing Chinese Chan Buddhism since 1989, as a disciple of the late Master Sheng Yen. She has been a volunteer with Dharma Drum Mountain and Chan Meditation Center in Elmhurst, NY, for more than twenty years. She has led the coordination of countless fundraising events and special programs, trained other volunteers, and helped to organize ties between the local chapters. Sylvie loves to share her experiences in Buddhist practice, social activism, and community life.
Secretary: Bob Stevens was introduced to the dharma in 1980 when he moved to NY wanting to study Hinduism but discovered the NY Shambhala Center (then named Dharmadhatu). He has been a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. He teaches Shambhala Training as well as the Center’s “In Everyday Life” series. Bob is Chairperson of the Governing Council of the New York center.
Secretary: Gagan Rocco Caputo is an ordained Western Zen teacher in New York City, is a dedicated student of Samu Sunim, founder of the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom. As acting director of the Zen Buddhist Temple for three years, he works to uphold the mission of adapting Buddhism to the West with gentleness, humor, and compassion. As Director of Youth for Peace at the United Nations, Gagan aims to combat division and dehumanization. He has also spent over 20 years as a wellness coordinator at a major NYC cancer center, supporting patients through meditation and movement to promote holistic well-being.
