ALAN JAMES was born in 1940. He studied physics at London University but soon became aware of the limitations of western science and turned his attention to oriental philosophy and religion. Following two trips to India, in search of a path and a teacher, he eventually met Kapilavaddho Bhikkhu (Richard Randall) in London. In 1968 Alan ordained as a monk under Kapilavaddho's guidance at Wat Dhammapadipa in Hampstead. After his teacher's death in 1971, Alan completed his training in Thailand.

In 1980, Alan co-founded the House of Inner Tranquillity. Five years later, the AukanaTrust was established and, by the beginning of 1988, the Monasteries of Absolute Harmony and Infinite Compassion had come into being for those students who wished to take up the training full-time

Today, Alan continues to teach the path to enlightenment, as well as directing the development of the monasteries and meditation centre. He currently lives in Wiltshire with his wife Christine.

To traditionalists, Alan's teaching, stripped as it is of its oriental acculturation, seems too radical. To the more politicised Buddhists, Alan's emphasis on the original path laid down by the Buddha in the four noble truths seems too conservative. For those whose interest is Buddhism (or any other 'ism'), Alan's teaching will probably have little impact.

Alan belongs to that tradition of teachers who, rather than lecture to hundreds for whom practical application to the path is of secondary importance, would prefer to instruct a handful of dedicated students intent on coming to understanding.

For those seeking personal instruction in the Buddha's path to truth, for those who really want to do something about coming to enlightenment, Alan's teaching may be the key to understanding for which they have been searching.