The Karuna Tendai Dharma Center is located on the border of the States of New York and Massachusetts on 32 acres in the Berkshire Mountains, 50km from Albany, New York.

From 1989 Reverend Naamon lived in Tokyo as a research scholar with the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine. Prior to this, Monshin had studied Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture in the U.S. for almost 20 years, and being in Japan provided him with the opportunity to practice and study Buddhism more intensely.

He started his Japanese Buddhist studies under the guidance of Reverend Shoshin Ichishima in 1989, and eventually received ordination from him in 1992 at Tamon-in, Chiba Prefecture. Thereafter, Reverend Monshin Naamon practiced as a priest for two and a half years at Tamon-in. During the years living in the temple he worked with Ichishima-sensei in translating a number of Tendai texts into English and directing Buddhist retreats (gyo) for both Japanese and international visitors. In the fall of 1994, he returned to the United States with his Japanese wife to establish the Karuna Tendai Dharma Center to propagate the Tendai School. In 1995, Reverend Naamon began regular meditation meetings and lectures on Buddhism and directed Buddhist meditation retreats. The Buddhist Sangha at KTDC has been developing step by step in accordance with the needs of the community.

To cope with the growing membership, the Center's members renovated a 175 year old farmhouse and barn into the main hall and the meditation hall. The Shikando includes a specially made altar from Japan where the main image of Kannon Bosatsu is enshrined. A Segaki platform was made by sangha members.

Weekly meetings consist of a lecture of Buddha's teachings, history and philosophy; Shikan (shamatha/vipassana) meditations, followed by a Dharma talk; and lastly the sangha dines together. From 20 to 25 participants attend weekly.

Since 1998, Reverend Naamon has established several regional sangha which conduct weekly lectures and meditations. Many other activities are offered by the Dharma Center, such as studies of Lotus Sutra and other sutras, esoteric Buddhist art class, Segaki service, Higan ceremonies, Buddhist retreats that last from one day to a week, and many more. Reverend Naamon performs funerals, wedding ceremonies, purification, blessings of newly born babies, etc. He is also a dedicated chaplain of the hospice program in the local area and on the faculty of the College of Simons Rock. 

Speech from 2002 conference on Overseas Missions given on Mt. Hiei