Reverend Choffy was born in 1932 in the U.S.A. In 1973, he visited the Tendai Mission when it was opened in Honolulu, Hawaii. Later he had a chance to meet Reverend Jion Haba, founder of the Hawaii Betsuin and head priest of Reisho-in of Tokyo. Taking the opportunity, Reverend Choffy expressed his earnest wish to study the Esoteric Buddhism of the Tendai school. In July 1975, he was ordained by Reverend Jisho Morisada at Shiga-in Temple, Mount Hiei.

Since having entered into the Buddhist priesthood, Reverend Choffy has annually stayed several months in Japan and pursued his Buddhist practice under the guidance of Reverend Somon Horisawa and Reverend Eko Watanabe. He also studied Shido Kegyo from Professor Sakai of Eizan Gakuin College during his stay in Japan. While in Japan, Rev. Choffy continued his research with Professor Ichishima of Taisho University on the english translation of "Shido Gyo Ki" (Guidance to Esoteric Buddhist Practice).

For many years he taught International Law as a professor at the University of Missouri, while introducing Tendai Buddhism in the United States. Having retired from the University recently, he opened a small temple, called "Mitsugon-an", at a room of his private residence in Austin, in which he has been giving seminars about Tendai Buddhism. He also teaches Buddhist practices to his students at this temple. His desire is to dedicate the rest of his life for the propagation of Tendai Buddhism in America.

"While I will continue my efforts for Tendai here in Texas I plan to expand in a new direction. Many years ago, while I was a university student, I spent several months in Norway. At that time I learned to read the Norwegan language for my studies. I am now corresponding with several persons in Norway and also in Iceland concerning Tendai-shu."

"If my health permits, it is now my definite plan to go to Vietnam in March 2003 to investigate what remains of Vietnamese Buddhism."

"Many, many centuries have passed since the lord Buddha walked upon this earth in human form. At the same time, human suffering has only increased, and the danger of wars in many places continues to threaten all of us. It is our task, each in our own way to help alleviate this suffering. We have now reached a revolutionary turning point in Buddhist history. This is the arrival of Buddhism in the West, This brings us to a new and most precious opportunity."

"How we will teach this Buddhism is of the utmost importance. But if we can teach with integrity, compassion and highest wisdom, we will not fail."