Born a poet between breaths of the infinite, John Brown aka O John Brown passed beyond the visible horizon in Lima, Pennsylvania, on February 20, 2026. He was born on May 6, 1941, in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, to Martha and William.
John’s life was a pilgrimage. Drawn early to devotion and large, luminous questions, he entered Catholic seminary as a young man and explored many spiritual paths before finding a home in Vajrayana Buddhism. He moved through the world as both seeker and storyteller—serious about wonder, playful about certainty.
He studied in Pennsylvania, Washington, and France, completing graduate work in poetry at Naropa Institute in 1974. Returning to Pennsylvania with Ralph Basch and Trudy Pomerantz, he was a founding member of the Philadelphia Dharmadhatu. An active presence, John lived in the Dharmadhatu practice house in West Philadelphia in the 1980s. John attended the 1980 Vajradhatu Buddhist Seminary. He was lucid until his passing – during a visit a few weeks ago, we remembered early times in Philadelphia, Karme Choling and at Naropa.
For John, language was a doorway, where a well-placed word could invoke the sacred within the ordinary. For over fifty years he taught English, French, Religion, and Poetry at Cardinal O’Hara High School, encouraging generations of students to meet the world with patience, curiosity, and wonder. At the Wallingford Community Arts Center, he shared his love of poetry in readings and classes for over two decades. Many of his students became lifelong friends and meditators.
He was predeceased by his siblings Bill, Jeff, and Justine. He is survived by his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless students and friends.
A Sukhavati ceremony will be held at the Philadelphia Shambhala Meditation Center in March, date to be announced. Please check the Monthly Calendar – Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia or contact info@philashambhala.org for updated information.
When a sentence shimmers, when a breath stills, when a pause feels full of meaning—John is there, with a trace of laughter, that spark of wonder, and a quiet, knowing wink.
First, he pointed out to me
Vastness over a cup of tea.
Next, he handed me a diamond sword
In order to “cut through “.
From there
We danced and smiled
Singing poetry together
For decades and decades.
The generous friend
The artful trickster
A master of kindness
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