Richard J. Van Donk was born in Stockton, California on July 15, 1950. Shihan Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the American Bujinkan Dojos and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 40 countries with its international dojo headquarters residing in Santa Cruz, California U.S.A. Master Van Donk is a direct and personal student of Ninjutsu grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi and is one of the highest ranking Bujinkan Ninjutsu instructors outside of Japan. Shihan Van Donk received his (Nidan) black belt and Shidoshi-ho (junior teaching license) directly from Grandmaster Hatsumi in 1985. At this time Soke Hatsumi also made him a personal student in a special ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka's dojo. In 1987 he passed his 5th degree test in Japan in front of a panel of Japanese Shihan. At that time he was told he was only the 9th non-Japanese person to be awarded this rank in the art's 2,000 year history. In 1991 Richard received the Golden Dragon Medal Award which is the highest honor in this art. On December 2, 1996, Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Judan (10th Degree blackbelt). Van Donk was also given the rare title of Master (Professor) in DeCuerdas Eskrima from the late Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio, who then passed his art down to Van Donk before his death making him the next designated Grandmaster of the Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima System. Shihan Van Donk studied dilligently with Grandmaster Tenio for 14 years. Much of his training was recieved one-on-one. True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. It is also a very spiritual art. Richard also holds black belt level or above in Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Iaido, Aikido, and Enshin Ryu Iaido and BattoJutsu (from Grandmaster Seiko Machida). In 1996 and in 1997 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council awarded Shihan Van Donk with its most prestigious award of Grandmaster of the Year for his contrbtions to martial arts. He has been inducted into many Master and Grandmaster councils. Richard has journeyed all over the world searching and studying various aspects of spirituality. He has visited such holy places as Egypt, Peru, India, Israel, Stonehenge, Turkey, Mt. Shasta, American Indian holy sites, Hapan Mikkyo Temples, Hunas of Hawaii, Ancient civilizations of Palenque, and Teotihuacan and such holy people as the Dalai Lama. Richard Van Donk is considered a philosopher by many as he teaches these enlightenment processes called "Sourcing" worldwide. His core teaching are embodied in Uni-Dynamics, "The science of being One." Shihan Van Donk continues to travel the world training with Soke Hatsumi in Japan and at international events called Tai Kais. He also hosts intensive Ninjutsu training camps at least twice a year in the beautiful mountain regions of northern California near Santa Cruz. |
Richard J. Van Donk was born in Stockton, California on July 15, 1950. Shihan Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the American Bujinkan Dojos and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 40 countries with its international dojo headquarters residing in Santa Cruz, California U.S.A. Master Van Donk is a direct and personal student of Ninjutsu grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi and is one of the highest ranking Bujinkan Ninjutsu instructors outside of Japan. Shihan Van Donk received his (Nidan) black belt and Shidoshi-ho (junior teaching license) directly from Grandmaster Hatsumi in 1985. At this time Soke Hatsumi also made him a personal student in a special ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka's dojo. In 1987 he passed his 5th degree test in Japan in front of a panel of Japanese Shihan. At that time he was told he was only the 9th non-Japanese person to be awarded this rank in the art's 2,000 year history. In 1991 Richard received the Golden Dragon Medal Award which is the highest honor in this art. On December 2, 1996, Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Judan (10th Degree blackbelt). Van Donk was also given the rare title of Master (Professor) in DeCuerdas Eskrima from the late Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio, who then passed his art down to Van Donk before his death making him the next designated Grandmaster of the Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima System. Shihan Van Donk studied dilligently with Grandmaster Tenio for 14 years. Much of his training was recieved one-on-one. True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. It is also a very spiritual art. Richard also holds black belt level or above in Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Iaido, Aikido, and Enshin Ryu Iaido and BattoJutsu (from Grandmaster Seiko Machida). In 1996 and in 1997 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council awarded Shihan Van Donk with its most prestigious award of Grandmaster of the Year for his contrbtions to martial arts. He has been inducted into many Master and Grandmaster councils. Richard has journeyed all over the world searching and studying various aspects of spirituality. He has visited such holy places as Egypt, Peru, India, Israel, Stonehenge, Turkey, Mt. Shasta, American Indian holy sites, Hapan Mikkyo Temples, Hunas of Hawaii, Ancient civilizations of Palenque, and Teotihuacan and such holy people as the Dalai Lama. Richard Van Donk is considered a philosopher by many as he teaches these enlightenment processes called "Sourcing" worldwide. His core teaching are embodied in Uni-Dynamics, "The science of being One." Shihan Van Donk continues to travel the world training with Soke Hatsumi in Japan and at international events called Tai Kais. He also hosts intensive Ninjutsu training camps at least twice a year in the beautiful mountain regions of northern California near Santa Cruz. |
Essence of World Transformation My dearly beloved friends, please reach out with me in establishing a world that is free of its pain and destruction. One where all beings become free to live their lives according to their own God within themselves. A world where we nurture the unfoldment of the life process in the ways we desire to live. Where there is only peace. Where there is only love. Where there is only happiness. Where there is only wealth and abundance for all. Not for just some, for all. The world is ours to create, to have, and to live in. Together, through a world team effort, this will become not only a possibility, but a reality. Richard J. Van Donk 10th Dan, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu From "Creating Your Life" A Guide For Transformation Vision Quest Publishing |