An-shu Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes
…founder of To-Shin Do Kasumi-An Ninja Martial Arts has spent his entire adult life in the pursuit of perfection through the study of the Asian martial arts and spiritual traditions, living and traveling throughout North America, Japan, Europe, the Arctic, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India.
Promoting the benefits of Life Mastery Through Martial Arts, he travels the world as teacher, seminar leader, and lecturer, inspiring others by translating his extensive background in martial arts and meditation into practical lessons for handling the pressures and uncertainties of life. Students, readers, and seminar participants have reported that his teachings have brought them deep encouragement and empowerment, and inspired them to achieve new levels of success in their personal and professional lives.
“Hayes-san is the one who gave birth to nin-po in the USA. We should all thank him for what he has done for us.”
- Togakure Ryu Ninja Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, describes An-shu Stephen K. Hayes to participants at Tai-Kai New Jersey 1989
“One of the five brightest stars in the martial arts; a legend”
- Black Belt Magazine Yearbook 1998 describes An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
“One of the ten most influential living martial artists in the world”
- Black Belt Magazine March 2006 describes An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
“Grandmaster Stephen Hayes is a legend in the martial arts.”
- Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, father of Taekwondo in America, describes An-shu Stephen K. Hayes at National Association of Martial Arts Professionals convention 2008
read moreBlue Lotus Assembly
Sho-Ren Ko Blue Lotus Assembly is the formal Buddhist practice sangha founded by An-shu Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes, open to all who feel compelled to “come home to” an actual lineage connection to the timeless teachings, practices, and goals of Buddhism as part of their birth purpose.
Buddhism is a path for stabilizing and ultimately transforming the mind. This leads to the great happiness of fulfillment of human potential. Introduced in India over 2,500 years ago by the enlightened teacher Shakyamuni Buddha, Buddhism spread throughout Asia. By the seventh century Buddhism had taken root in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet and the far-off islands of Japan.
The wisdom teachings of the Buddha are not pronouncements about God or Ultimate Truth. The Buddha felt such declarations could lead to disagreement, conflict, and even violence. Instead, Buddhist practice describes exercises we can explore to take us increasingly closer to the truth about how life works. No need to adopt dogmatic beliefs. The teachings can be tested against our own experiences.
Different people find different ways of expressing truth. What is most important is the validity of the experience and whether it leads to a wiser, more peaceful, more intelligent, and more compassionate way of living. The teachings serve as tools to clear the mind of misunderstanding. When the mind is clear, Ultimate Truth, in whatever way one finds to express it, becomes clear and apparent.
Though founded as an extension of the lineage of An-shu’s personal teachers in the Japanese Tendai and Tibetan Sakya traditions, Blue Lotus Assembly upholds the importance of non-sectarianism, and an appreciation for the many forms of Buddhism. Therefore, students of any background are welcomed and encouraged to attend programs.
read moreLife Mastery through Martial Arts
Defend. Disarm. Disappear.
America’s original ninja Stephen K. Hayes shares his warrior protector lifestyle with students all over the globe.
An-shu Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes, Founder of To-Shin Do Kasumi-An Ninja Martial Arts, has spent his entire adult life in the pursuit of perfection through the study of the Asian martial arts and spiritual traditions, living and traveling throughout North America, Japan, Europe, the Arctic, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India.
Dedicated to promoting the benefits of Life Mastery Through Martial Arts, he travels the world as teacher, seminar leader, and lecturer, inspiring others by translating his extensive background in martial arts and meditation into practical lessons for handling the pressures, uncertainties, and stresses of life. Many students, readers, and seminar participants have reported that his teachings have brought them deep encouragement and empowerment, and inspired them to achieve new levels of success in their personal and professional lives.