The Rev. Dr. Joshua Richard Paszkiewicz (in ecclesia the Most Venerable Sunyananda Dharmacarya) is a priest, Zen teacher, psychotherapist, nurse, martial artist, culinarian, writer, academic, and mystic at large.
A multi-yana trained, fully authorized Zen teacher, Dr. Paszkiewicz is the only individual to hold full, simultaneous teaching authority in the Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese Zen schools. Dr. Paszkiewicz has studied and taught Buddhism throughout the world, lectured at numerous colleges and universities, and has appeared in and written for various media outlets, in addition to serving as an official delegate to numerous notable Buddhist events, including the first White House Buddhist Leader's Conference, and the United Nation's World Day of Vesak.
Dr. Paszkiewicz is a experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance as well as a continuing education provider (YACEP). He has trained in the Bhakti Yoga tradition in West Bengal, India where he lived as a Brahmacari and personal assistant to a preeminent guru.
Academically, Dr. Paszkiewicz has earned a host of degrees, and completed a clinical residency (1600 hours) in pastoral psychotherapy at the University of Kansas Hospital, and has subsequently earned dual board certification as a Pastoral Counselor and as a Clinical Chaplain, with status as a Diplomate Supervisor. He has further completed an internship in psychodynamic psychotherapy (600 hours) with Whole Health KC, and a Fellowship in Psychoanalysis with the Greater Kansas City Psychoanalytic Institute, and he has been licensed as a professional counselor and registered nurse.
Dr. Paszkiewicz has served as a clinician and chaplain in a variety of settings, from health care facilities to law enforcement agencies, and is the founding Convener of the Kaw River Valley Chapter of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, where he has served as co-chair of the national Certification Committee and an Executive Committee member. Dr. Paszkiewicz is also a Certified Interfaith Consultant with the Center for Religious Experience and Study (CRES) and the Reverend Dr. Vern Barnet, which inaugurated this credential with its award to him.
On a day-to-day basis Dr. Paszkiewicz serves as the headmaster of the Blue Dragon Order, a religious order of contemplatives scattered throughout the country.
Academic Credentials:
Degrees:
Current Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:
Martial Arts Credentials:
Ordinations and Empowerments:
Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
Selected Publications, Quotations, Appearances, and Acknowledgments:
Selected News and Digital Media Appearances:
Retired Positions, Credentials, and Registrations:
A multi-yana trained, fully authorized Zen teacher, Dr. Paszkiewicz is the only individual to hold full, simultaneous teaching authority in the Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese Zen schools. Dr. Paszkiewicz has studied and taught Buddhism throughout the world, lectured at numerous colleges and universities, and has appeared in and written for various media outlets, in addition to serving as an official delegate to numerous notable Buddhist events, including the first White House Buddhist Leader's Conference, and the United Nation's World Day of Vesak.
Dr. Paszkiewicz is a experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance as well as a continuing education provider (YACEP). He has trained in the Bhakti Yoga tradition in West Bengal, India where he lived as a Brahmacari and personal assistant to a preeminent guru.
Academically, Dr. Paszkiewicz has earned a host of degrees, and completed a clinical residency (1600 hours) in pastoral psychotherapy at the University of Kansas Hospital, and has subsequently earned dual board certification as a Pastoral Counselor and as a Clinical Chaplain, with status as a Diplomate Supervisor. He has further completed an internship in psychodynamic psychotherapy (600 hours) with Whole Health KC, and a Fellowship in Psychoanalysis with the Greater Kansas City Psychoanalytic Institute, and he has been licensed as a professional counselor and registered nurse.
Dr. Paszkiewicz has served as a clinician and chaplain in a variety of settings, from health care facilities to law enforcement agencies, and is the founding Convener of the Kaw River Valley Chapter of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, where he has served as co-chair of the national Certification Committee and an Executive Committee member. Dr. Paszkiewicz is also a Certified Interfaith Consultant with the Center for Religious Experience and Study (CRES) and the Reverend Dr. Vern Barnet, which inaugurated this credential with its award to him.
On a day-to-day basis Dr. Paszkiewicz serves as the headmaster of the Blue Dragon Order, a religious order of contemplatives scattered throughout the country.
Academic Credentials:
Degrees:
- DMin - Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Psychotherapy and Supervision (The Graduate Institute, CPSP)
- DHA - Doctor of Healthcare Administration in Healthcare Research, Teaching, & Leadership (Virginia University of Lynchburg)*
- MA - Master of Arts in Counseling (Central Seminary)
- MAR - Master of Arts in Religion (Graceland University)
- BA - Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (Thomas Edison State University)
- BS - Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Ashworth College)*
- ADN - Associate Degree in Nursing (Rasmussen University)
- AS - Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration (Ashworth College)
- AAS - Associate of Applied Science in General Studies (Pierpont Technical and Community College)
- Post-Doctoral Certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies)
- National Certificate in Culinary Arts (National Restaurant Association Education Foundation/Nevada Regional Technical Center)
Current Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:
- Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board - #LPC03999)
- Registered Nurse, RN (Kansas Board of Nursing - #14-159706-051)
- Associate - Infection Prevention and Control, a-IPC (Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology - #135044)
- Diplomate Supervisor, Dipl.CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy)
- Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor, BCCC/BCPC (College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy)
- Board Certified Chaplain, BCC (Spiritual Care Association)
- Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 200 (Yoga Alliance)
- Certified Interfaith Consultant, CIC (Center for Religious Experience and Study - CRES)
- Certified Kiatsu Educator (Genkido Association)
Martial Arts Credentials:
- Headmaster: Chang Ryong Kwon Bup & Korean Bulgyo Musool Association
- Secretary General: International Jun Tong Mu Sool Kwan
- Dan Holder: Hapkido, Jujutsu, Ryukyu Kempo, Taekwondo, Tukkong Mu Sool
- Licensed Instructor and Chartered School Owner: International Jun Tong Mu Sool Kwan, International Korean Martial Arts Federation, World Kido Federation, Hanminjok Hapkido Association, Hakkoryu Kodo Renmei, Tai Ki Budo Kai
Ordinations and Empowerments:
- 86th Generation Lineage Holder (Sensei) - White Plum Zen Lineage (via Tendo Fusho Roshi)
- 81st Generation Lineage Holder (Seon Sa) - Deok Seung Zen Lineage (via Wonji Dochong Seonsanim)
- 78th Generation Lineage Holder (Jong Sa) - Il Bung Zen Lineage (via Seon Hae Daejongsanim)
- Transmission as "Great Master" (Thượng Tọa) - Lam Te Zen Lineage (via Hoa Thuong T. Nhu Minh)
- Ordained Sramana - Dharmaguptaka Buddhist Lineage (by Suhitananda Mahathera)
- Consecrated Abbot Nullius Diœceseos - Independent Sacramental Movement (by C. Kroski, J. Sunderland, M. Smith)
- Ordained Priest - Independent Sacramental Movement (by C. Kroski, J. Sunderland, M. Smith)
Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
- International Neuropsychoanalysis Society
- Greater Kansas City-Topeka Psychoanalytic Center
- College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy
- International Society for Philosophical Enquiry (99.9th Percentile Ultra-High IQ Think Tank)
- Intertel (99th Percentile High IQ Society)
- Mensa International (98th Percentile High IQ Society)
Selected Publications, Quotations, Appearances, and Acknowledgments:
- Kling, D. O. (2021). Sacramental Whine: Chronicling the Independent Sacramental Movement (Vol. 2). Independent Press.
- Paszkiewicz, J. R. (2012). Tukkong Military Arts: Lessons from the Korean Special Forces. Taekwondo Times, 32(5), 40–44.
- Paszkiewicz, J.R. (2023). Zen Buddhism: Your Personal Guide to Zen Teachings. Wellfleet Press. [ISBN: 9781577153658]
- Paszkiewicz, J.R. (2022). Zen and Happiness: Practical Insights and Meditations to Cultivate Joy in Everyday Life. Rockridge Press. [ISBN: 9781638784784]
Selected News and Digital Media Appearances:
- The Hidden World. (2020, December 16). The Hidden World of Zen Buddhism w/ Dr. Joshua Paszkiewicz [Podcast]. RadioPublic. https://radiopublic.com/the-hidden-world-6VqJbM/s1!6c5d9
- Faith Always Wins Foundation. (2020, November 12). Leaning on Our Faith for Inspiration and Hope [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBhFGGoh_0
- Faith Always Wins Foundation. (2021, April 19). SevenDays 2020 Go Day Virtual Interfaith Panel [Video]. YouTube. (URL Under Construction)
- The Interfaith Center at Miami University. (2020, June 10). “I’m a Zen Master, Ask Me Anything” with The Most Venerable Sunyananda [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/O9fxC_EuPKI
- Religion News Service. (2013, June 27). From DC to KC, Reaction to Supreme Court Gay Marriage Rulings [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdfpHoXLxgo
- Sacramental Whine. (2020, June 16). Seeking Integration with J Richard Paszkiewicz [Podcast]. LibSyn. https://www.podpage.com/sacramentalwhines-podcast/seeking-integration-with-j-richard-paszkiewicz/
- Start the Wave Foundation. (2020, November 17). LGBTQIA2S+ and Spirituality Interfaith Panel [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSLUA59MO64
- U Wake Up on Unity FM. (2010, November 15). Lessons on Buddhism and Martial Arts With Grand Master Paszkiewicz [Radio]. Unity Online Radio. https://www.unityonlineradio.org/u-wake/lessons-buddhism-and-martial-arts-grand-master-paszkiewicz
- U Wake Up on Unity FM. (2010, December 6). The Good Life [Radio]. Unity Online Radio. https://www.unityonlineradio.org/u-wake/lessons-buddhism-and-martial-arts-grand-master-paszkiewicz
Retired Positions, Credentials, and Registrations:
- Special Correspondent (Taekwondo Times)
*Candidate