Honoring Larry Ward - A Personal Reflection by Victoria Mausisa
August 25, 2025
Picture of Dr Larry Ward in front of his altar
We may never know the last time we will speak with someone, do we? And that was true of the last time I spoke with Larry Ward, just two weeks prior to his passing. In our conversation, he spoke of the forest, the birds, the squirrels outside his window, as he often did. And as I walked in the forest a few sunny afternoons ago, I looked up among the tall soaring redwoods and the dark green branches and felt Larry’s energy. In his poem, Reminder from An Old Friend, Larry wrote:
I already lie in the green forest. Can you not see me there?
I am present in the movement of the trees and the softness and hardness of the earth…
How precious our moments are on the earth. In the midst of this mystery, may we smile and cry in the unknown and the known.
I am a raindrop falling on a leaf, nourishing all things.
I am a leaf at home in the forest, singing my song of regeneration.
Larry’s Dharma name was True Great Sound, given by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh when Larry was ordained. I think of the sound of the lion’s roar as I reflect on Larry’s name. When the Buddha spoke, it was like the roar of the lion, a proclamation of his deep teachings, so loud and powerful that perhaps the animals stopped to listen, and some animals may have hidden in fear. Larry’s voice and wise teachings were deep, clear and powerful, and yet I also experienced his human-ness, his vulnerability, his kindness, his joy. Sitting with him at his kitchen table several years ago, he openly shared some of his memories with me. One, how a bullet went through the hat he wore as a little boy and how his fierce mother came out to give those boys “a piece of her mind”. And how he and Peggy’s house was fire-bombed in a racist attack. Larry and Peggy went to Plum Village Monastery after that to take refuge. He also spoke of his love of his beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. He often shared his first-hand experiences of places he lived in the world – India, Thailand, Mexico, Philippines, and so many other places – and his work in economic development and how these many experiences informed his spiritual life.
Larry once said to me “just do you”. He encouraged us that we are enough exactly how we are; we can be our authentic selves; there is no need for us to compare, or to strive or be like anyone else. We can let go of our ego, and we can touch into the Buddha in ourselves just as we are. In America’s Racial Karma, Larry wrote: “Take your seat at the table of healing and transformation…Take your seat. Be present and care for yourself; love yourself. As you love yourself and care for yourself that love will move outward. It will spill out all around you with a fragrance of holiness.”
Larry also encouraged us to wear or carry something with us that reminds us of who we are, our lineage, our ancestral heritage. Following Larry’s words, and as a Filipina born in America, I often wear a pendant symbolizing generativity from the Philippine Islands. And Larry often carried and showed us two photos – one of his mother and one of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion – before offering a Dharma talk.
Larry’s presence and encouraging words were deeply meaningful to me as I looked deeply into my own ancestral lineage and my healing journey of intergenerational trauma. His teachings often included trauma healing practices and ways to tap into our internal resources to heal the trauma within ourselves.
And Larry reminded us to nourish our joy and to shine our own light every day. To nourish our good seeds within us. To nurture our joy. To dance, sing, play. He said: “Embrace your humanity. You were born to be real, not perfect. Let go of fear and ignite your light.”
During the days following Larry’s transition, I sat with several sanghas generating the energy of love and prayers to both Larry and Peggy, his wife. I was in the company of so many hearts touched by Larry’s presence. The outpouring of love, compassion and gratitude to Larry and Peggy is overflowing. Larry’s deep and wise teachings were and still are a healing balm and inspiration for a multitude of people throughout the world. And with this awareness, I am reminded of all the glowing stars at night. We are those stars, not only of our own light, but of Larry’s light, shining ever continuously, shining ever brightly.
