Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs24jan24,1,5715458.story?coll=la-headlines-california

On January 24, 2004 the Los Angeles Times published a profile on Steven Wass, a formerly troubled man who found freedom through Buddhism. "Today, Wass is known as Gen-la Samden Gyatso, a 'realized' Buddhist teacher, who is deputy spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition, which describes itself as Buddhism designed for Westerners. Adherents of the New Kadampa Tradition believe it is just the ticket for people living in mega-urban regions like Southern California, where frantic lifestyles and a consumer- and entertainment-driven culture promise much but can leave one unfulfilled."