Introducing Rev. Zenji Nio:
"Eminent International Buddhist Thinker" - Times of India
"World-renowned authority on Buddhism" - Hitavada Newspaper
"Foremost Buddhist Expert in the world" - Indian Express
"Most inspiring speaker featured on our show" - Emmy-winner Charles Adler
The founder of the Panam Buddhist Mission and Samurai Center, Zenji Nio was dubbed by Times of India as "an eminent international-level Buddhist thinker" and by Emmy-winner Charles Adler of Global News as "a Buddhist scholar and one of the most inspiring speakers we've had on our show", Zenji Nio is the only person ever to represent Buddhism and Samurai Bushido culture at the world's top forums -- from the Olympics & Paralympic Games (where he served as Spiritual and Motivational coach to a record number of medalists) and US Congress -- to Israel's highest awards ceremony - "Righteous Among the Nations" and the world-famous Simon Wiesenthal Center (where Nio led the first ever Multifaith Commemoration of the Shoah Holocaust). Nio has also received commendation messages from Ambassadors, Diplomats, Major Generals and Cabinet Ministers of Japan, Canada, USA and India as well as been invited for meetings with 4 Prime Ministers, and senior advisors to Presidents Obama and Clinton among others. His goal is to promote Buddha's wisdom, compassion and heroism via the Samurai Code of Honor -- through art, cinema, theater, fashion and various creative forums.
The curator of one of the biggest Buddhist and Samurai art collections, Nio organized and curated what the media dubbed "Canada's biggest ever Asian art exhibit" -- sponsored by the Government of Canada and inaugurated by India's Foreign Secretary and Canada's Minister of Immigration & Citizenship -- and praised by the Lt. Governor on behalf of the Queen, a Parliamentary Committee and Japanese diplomats. Nio's Samurai Museum & Buddhist Temple at the Toronto Panam & Parapan Am Games -- the biggest sporting event ever held in the Americas -- was dubbed by the National Post as "the biggest attraction in the Athlete's Village" and Nio was called "the most sought-after chaplain". This birthed the Panam Buddhist Mission which uses art, speaking events, film projects and creative forums to inspire and empower the mainstream as well as the marginalized. Nio thus uniquely ministers to the elite like world-class athelets on the one hand -- to the vulnerable like prisoners and patients on the other -- for Buddha commands us to serve all sentient beings and help alleviate suffering in all forms.
Nio's inspirational speeches have been praised by numerous Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Padma Winners and Diplomats -- and he has been profiled by a UN-linked charity alongside Indian luminaries from Olympic medalists to Bollywood superstars. He has used his unique platform to help raise millions for India's poorest children, and is also in talks with experts from NASA's famed Apollo 13 Mission on ways to address India's Water Crisis. In addition, Nio has also served as the Buddhist Expert for various bodies and councils for the Government of Canada -- including the RCMP and Ministry of Justice. His unprecedented work in combating antisemitism has been praised by many media outlets and he continues to empower untouchables via our sponsored forums like www.Dalits.net.
Awarded the "Eminent Buddhist Thinker" award by Nagpur University, Nio became the only Western-born Buddhist to speak at Deekshabhumi before millions at an event organized by India and Japan with senior representatives from all Buddhist nations. Nio is also the only Indian-origin person to lecture to every Buddhist nation, and alongside the world's top experts - from Oxford and Harvard to the world-famous Shaolin Temple of China and Royal family of Thailand. Hitavada newspaper profiled Nio alongside Harvard Professor of Buddhism as "a world-renowned authority in Buddhism who travels the world promoting peace - when he speaks, the world listens" and a UN report called Nio a "major Buddhist figure" and "authentic voice for Buddhist majorities of Japan and Asian Tiger Nations". Nio is also one of the only Buddhist experts in the world who recites, from memory, the original Buddhist texts of India in Sanskrit, and is familiar with the extinct Indian script of Siddham that is revered in Japan. As a result, he has also received rave reviews for lectures at most of the major Indian and Asian organizations and charities of North America.
But above all, Zenji Nio often introduces himself simply as a "servant of Buddha and humanity".