Source: The Arizona Republic
On May 27, 2003 The Arizona Republic reported that "the different life journeys of 11 Arizonans, including four women, have brought them together as Buddhists under the leadership and teaching of a man they call 'Master Rich...' The 11 people traveled to Taiwan in late April to be ordained as priests into Buddhism after two years of study, reflection and meditation. Master Rich, 52-year-old Richard Sittinger of Scottsdale [AZ], accompanied them... They returned early this month to form the core of a new organization, Buddha Heart USA... They will join a growing number of people from a variety of religious backgrounds who say they find in Buddhism a way of life that is more compatible with their personal spirituality... At least 32 Buddhist organizations exist in Arizona, half in the Valley. Only a handful, including a new Korean temple in Tucson, are congregations of Asian-Americans who have been Buddhist since birth. The rest are made up mainly of well-educated, middle-class Anglos, sometimes with an Asian teacher. Some draw hundreds of people, while others are small groups of friends meeting in private homes."