Anka Spencer
Ermita Zen Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Anka Rick began Zen practise in Vancouver, Canada in the 1980’s. In 1995 he met Zoketsu Norman Fischer, at that time co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center, and became his student. In 2000 Norman gave him the Dharma name Burai Anka, (Dancing Thunderbolt, Peaceful Transformation). In 2004 he was ordained as a priest and in 2011 he received Dharma Transmission, or authorization as an independent teacher, from Zoketsu Norman. Rick visited Mexico for the first time in 2000 to attend a Zen retreat with his teacher at a retreat centre north of Puerto Vallarta. He was impressed with the whole-heartedness of Mexican Zen practitioners. Over the next several years Rick visited Mexico often, feeling more and more at home each time. Rick now lives in Mexico City. He guides retreats and practises with meditation groups in various parts of Mexico.