NEIBS Faculty
G.R. Lewis is the founder and the Senior
Dharma Teacher of the Buddhist Faith
Fellowship since 2001.
Known as an innovative and accomplished teacher, he is part of the new generation of American born Buddhist teachers
transmitting the dharma in the western world. He earned a B.S. and a M.A. from Central Connecticut
State University and received
an extensive international education studying in such institutions like the Universidad de Salamanca and the Université Laval.
His formal Buddhist studies and practice were under the Venerable Thich Tri Hoang and North America’s
foremost Shin teacher, Rev. Taitetsu Unno. He studied Theravada and Mahayana traditions focusing on Zen and Shin Buddhism.
Since then, he studied under many other masters and teachers from various Buddhist traditions. He received transmission in
2000 from Venerable Hoang.
Juliane Dean is an Associate BFF Dharma Teacher and has
been the Music Director/Cantor for the BFF for many years. As a talented and expressive teacher, she has facilitated discussions
at Buddhist retreats and focuses her teachings on voice meditation and relationships issues. She is a graduate of Moravian College with
a Bachelors of Music and also attended Westminster Choir College of Music.
Robert Orsi is recognized as a dynamic and insightful Buddhist teacher. As an Associate BFF Dharma Teacher, he has
facilitated in dharma gatherings and retreats. He earned a B.A in English from Central Connecticut State
University with minors in Music and History. He held a Connecticut teaching certification in History and English for grades 7 – 12. For many
years, he has been working as musician, both professionally and semi-professionally; and on his spare time, he studies
and practices Japanese martial arts and meditation. He has been a long time spiritual seeker.
