About American Buddha Inc
American Buddha Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the teachings of Rama through the book American Buddha. This compilation brings together stories from Rama's students about their time studying with him.
The original American Buddha carries forward the Light and lineage of Rama’s teachings through the lived experiences of his students. These stories trace encounters with an Enlightened Zen Master as they unfolded in modern life — through career, technology, power, retreats, and everyday moments of insight. By collecting and sharing these accounts, we continue to keep Rama’s teachings alive across generations.
Rama — Dr. Frederick Lenz
Rama is an Icon of Enlightenment. There are no words to describe him, no commentaries to give his teachings justice. His life was an ongoing poem, a dynamic mandala of joy, pain, beauty, genius, humor and commitment.
He extended Enlightenment to all who came into contact with him. He provided a stage, protected and lit up by his own aura, for his students to evolve, grow, learn and live through the many mistakes, or as he would call them, lessons.
His teachings emphasized self-reliance, meditation, and the cultivation of inner light. Students describe transformative experiences studying with him through workshops, retreats, and one-on-one guidance. Rama's legacy continues through his writings, recordings, and the stories of those who studied with him.
As one student wrote:
Rama showed us, through his life, the beauty and reality of Enlightenment. He treated all those he met with equanimity and compassion. He donned the attitude of a supreme warrior, though he kept himself open and vulnerable to Eternity. He taught us how to dive deeply within, to the eternal nature of our beings.
He created a complex, multifaceted, infinite mandala within each one of us. He wove his Enlightenment and his love into us all. He packed us with symbols, and created doorways to perfect knowledge and to the unfolding of infinite discoveries. All we have to do is be silent, listen, and reach.
Our gratitude to Rama is immeasurable.
There is nirvana. There is enlightenment. Beyond this world and beyond all worlds, there's something perfect and real. The comedies, the tragedies that we see played out on this earth before us don't last. But we are eternal spirits - we do. These events will come and go, but the planes of light and nirvana will always be there.
Deep Dive — Resources
Light Mind Meditation
A meditation app with daily quotes from Rama—available on iPhone and Android.
Rama Talks
Free Dharma talks, music, and spiritual resources.
Frederick Lenz Foundation
The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism.
Ask Rama
Ask Rama a question and receive his teachings, personalized to you.