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Master Richard Van Donk
"Always have the courage to live what you love and to love what you live" rvd

Richard J. Van Donk was born in Stockton, Calif. on July 15th, 1950.
Warrior names: Kofukuryu (Happy Dragon), Mr. Happy & Yee Ha by Soke Hatsumi.
Spiritual Name: Satchitananda

Richard considers himself to be a perpetual student of life. Always questing the divine within everything and every one. This journey of self discovery has brought Richard all over the world to discover everlasting Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. On his path to wisdom and spiritual growth he went to every holy sacred site he could and found the wisest teacher, guru, mystic, priest, priestess, or shaman to share with him their knowledge. Richard spent time visiting such sacred places and people as the Pyramids & Nile temples in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, Satgurus & Temples all over India, the Dali Lama, the holylands of Israel, Stonehenge & Glatsonbury & Avebury in England, Ephesus & Delphi & Instanbul in Turkey, Mt. Shasta, Ca., American Indian holy sites, Mikkyo Temples in Japan, Hunas of Hawaii, Central American ancient civilizations of Palenque, Teotihuacan and several others deep in the jungles of Mexico, Etc. searching and studying aspects of spirituality. Richard is now studying Mikkyo (and kuji kiri ) with a master teacher in Japan and Hamsa Kriya Yoga from a Himalayan Nath Yogi (now at Acharya teacher level).

Due to his tremendous amount of worldwide research Master Van Donk is considered a Philosopher by many. He has taken the best from all these sacred civilizations and teachers and formulated an Enlightenment processes called 'Sourcing' which he has taught worldwide. His core teaching are embodied in Uni-DynamicsTM "The science of being One". Richard initiated a World Peace 2000 Breath of Peace at the start of the new millennium. He loves to share the wisdom acquired from his quests.

More Personal Info.
When not doing personal consulting or teaching Richard spends his spare time playing music, doing yoga, writing and soaking in hot springs. He is happily married to his wife Linda* and has 2 grown children, Danny a Golf Pro and Kimberly college graduate in speech therapy and loves to work with children).

Master Richard Van Donk's Martial Arts Profile
Richard started formal martial arts training at the age of 17, informal at age 11. Master Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the American Bujinkan Dojos (Ninjutsu) and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 62 countries with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, (Northern) California, U.S.A. His wife, Linda, a Shidoshi (10th dan) is the Assistant Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.

Richard is one of the highest ranking Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (Instructor of the Warrior Ways to Enlightenment) outside of Japan (10th Dan in Ninjutsu / 14th dan in Budo Taijutsu from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi) and an internationally acclaimed Eskrima Grandmaster (personal student and inheriting Grandmaster of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio). Also has been awarded black beltlevels or above in Karate (2nd dan), Jujitsu (9th dan), Tae Kwon Do, Muso Tenshin Ryu Iaijutsu (yondan), Aikido (nidan), and Enshin Ryu Iaido and BattoJutsu (from Grandmaster Kenshinsai Machida). In 1996 and in 1997 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council awarded Master Van Donk with its most prestigious award of Grandmaster of the Year for his contributions to martial arts. He has been inducted into many Master and Grandmaster councils.

Ninjutsu
Master Van Donk is a personal student of Ninjutsu Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda city, Japan and has traveled to train with him at least twice a year since 1985 when he received his (Nidan) 2nd degree Blackbelt and Shidoshi-ho (Junior teaching license) directly from Soke Hatsumi. At this time Soke Hatsumi also made him a personal student in a special ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka's dojo.
In early 1987 Richard passed his 5th degree test in Japan in front of a panel of Japanese Shihan. At that time Richard was told he was only the 9th non-Japanese person to be awarded this rank in the art's alomst 2,000 year history. Soke Hatsumi awarded Shihan Van Donk his 10th degree Blackbelt Menkyo license on Dec. 2, 1995 (Soke Hatsumi's Birthday) and his 11th dan on Takamatsu's Birthday March 2000. Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Junidan** (12th Degree blackbelt) on March 28th, 2001. Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Ju-sandan*** (13th Degree blackbelt) on December 2nd, 2002 (Soke Hatsumi's Birthday), Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Ju-Yondan**** (14th Degree blackbelt) on April 2nd, 2004 (Takamatsu Resurrection). Master Van Donk has been responsible for pioneering the current ranking structures used by many instructors throughout the Bujinkan. In 1991 Master Van Donk was awarded the Golden Dragon Medal from Soke Hatsumi for his pioneering efforts. Shihan Van Donk continues to travel the world training with Soke Hatsumi in Japan and at international events called Tai Kais. On Dec 2nd, 2005 he received the final menkyo license grade of Ju-Godan (equal to 15th dan) in Bujinkan Ninjutsu/Budo Taijutsu system from Grandmaster Hatsumi.

Go to www.Ninjutsu.com for more details

DeCuerdas Eskrima
True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. DeCuerdas means to windup as in winding a watch ('spring forward') and has deep spiritual and philosophical roots as well as a very powerful weapons art.. Master Van Donk was given the rare title of Master (Professor) in DeCuerdas Eskrima from the late Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio, who then passed his art down to Master Van Donk before his death making him the next designated Grandmaster of the Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima System. Richard studied diligently with Grandmaster Tenio for 14 years and much of his training was received one on one. Grandmaster Tenio had mastered 17 different Eskrima styles and was world renowned for his disarming ability. He was a great master who is truly missed. GrandMaster Van Donk calls his system Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima and has students in many countries studying this system through the distant learning course.

Go to www.DeCuerdasEskrima.com for details.

Sword (Iaido/Battojustu)
One of Richard's great loves is the bladed arts and the sword became a passion and was the first reason to travel to Japan to train with Soke Hatsumi in Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu teaches Kobudo, real battlefield sword fighting skills. Richard has been given a 14th dan in Budo Taijutsu from Soke Hatsumi which includes much battlefield sword use. Richard also wanted to learn the presence of being taught in a formal Iaido (way of the draw) sword school and battojutsu (cutting on the draw and real traditional fighting skills). So early in 1990 he began training with Kancho (Head of Family) Kenshinsai Machida a renowned Japanese Sword Grandmaster of several systems. Richard received a Chudan level makimono scroll in Enshin Ryu Iaido and BattoJutsu, and a nidan level in Takeda Ryu Aikido in a short time. In March 2001 Richard was first non-Japanese person to be awarded the Shoden level makimono in Muso Tenshin Ryu Iaijutsu (universal heart sword school) from Grandmaster Kenshinsai Machida. In March 2003 Master Van Donk was awarded Chuden Mokuroku level (5th dan) in Muso Ikken Ryu Batto Jutsu from Kancho Machida. The highest rank issued to anyone outside of Japan. A beautiful handwritten densho scroll was also transmitted and given as well during a Mikkyo ritual ceremony. This balance of study between several sword systems was challenging and also very rewarding. As a note Kancho Machida can cut 10 rolled tatami mats in ONE cut. Yes, ten mats. Oh did I tell you he is 72 years old. heheehe there is still hope for us youngsters.


Shihan Linda Van Donk

"Endless Good Comes in Endless Ways"CGayle

Linda Van Donk was born in Mass. on July 9.


Shihan Linda Van Donk's Martial Arts Profile
Linda started martial arts in High School when she joined a fencing class. She loved the foil for it's quickness and that it was as demanding for her mind as it was for her body. Linda, a Senior Shidoshi (10th dan) is the Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.

Linda Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the IBDA/American Bujinkan Dojos (Ninjutsu) and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 60 countries with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, (Northern) California, U.S.A. Linda earned a degree in cultural & physical Anthropology. She is a film producer of over 25 martial arts and self improvement titles as well as the senior editor for Bushindo University Publications. She is the director of the American Bujinkan Dojo and President of Bushindo Inc.

Shihan Linda is one of the highest ranking female Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (Instructors) holding the rank of 10th Dan in Ninjutsu granted directly from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, and the only Level 6 instructor of Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima (she was a personal student of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio).

Ninjutsu (Menkyo Kaiden)
Linda Van Donk has received her ranking direct from Soke Hatsumi and has trained with him in Japan and around the world at various tai kais over the years since 1986. She started training in Ninjutsu with her now husband Richard in 1985.
In May 1995 Linda passed her 5th degree test at the Tuscon Tai Kai in front of a panel of Shihan teachers. Linda became one of the very few females in the world to ever take this coveted sakki test directly from Soke Hatsumi and pass the very first time. Soke Hatsumi awarded Shihan Linda Van Donk her 10th degree Blackbelt Menkyo license on Dec. 2, 1995 (Soke Hatsumi's Birthday) after she brought 4 signed recommendations from some of the very top Bujinkan Shihan on April 2nd, 2004 (Takamatsu Resurrection Tai Kai). Shihan Linda has been responsible for pioneering the Ninjutsu Blackbelt course created by Shihan Richard Van Donk around the world so that people without teachers nearby could have a way to train in this wonderful. It is through her compassion that the art has grown as it has around the world.

DeCuerdas Eskrima
True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. DeCuerdas means to windup as in winding a watch ('spring forward') and has deep spiritual and philosophical roots as well as a very powerful weapons art.. Linda Van Donk has earned the rare title of Master (Professor) and Level 6 (Level 7 is the highest) in Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima from Grandmaster Richard Van Donk, an inheriting GM. Linda studied diligently with Grandmaster Tenio for many years before his passing.


Spiritual Studies
Linda considers herself to be a perpetual seeker of truth. She has traveled around the world visiting, meditating, and studying sacred places and people such as the Pyramids & Nile temples in Egypt, Satgurus & Temples all over India, Dogzen Empowerments directly from the Dalai Lama, Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury in England, Mt. Shasta, Ca., American Indian holy sites, Mikkyo Temples in Japan, Central American ancient civilizations of Palenque, Teotihuacan and several others deep in the jungles of Mexico, etc. searching and studying aspects of spirituality and consciousness.



Personal Info.
Linda loves to learn. She is always reading 4 or 5 books at a time. Education and awareness is the way to overcome ignorance. Her major in college was anthropology where she received a cultural and physical anthropology degree. Also being interested in healing and nutrition she has received certifications in Reiki, several massage schools, and lymphology She is certified in Silva Mind Control, brain mind sciences, Hypnotherapy, Kriya Yoga, and NLP (Neurolinguistic programming) at the trainer level. She has explored skydiving, firewalking, hot springs, burningman, music festivals, and Goddess events. She is a film producer of over 25 martial arts and self improvement titles as well as the senior editor for Bushindo University Publications. She is the director of the American Bujinkan Dojo and President of Bushindo Inc.. Spiritual Name: Yamuna Lotus Star