Tomoko "Purna" Ugajin
Associate Professor, VaYU
Email: txu@vayuusa.org
Education:
- 2020 - 2023 Dayananda Ashram (Rishikesh, India)
- 2014 - 2017 Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (Anaikatti, India)
- 1984 - 1988 Ochanomizu University BA (Tokyo, Japan)
Experience:
After a couple of months of meeting the Vedanta for the first time in Japan, driven to join a long-term Vedanta Course at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Anaikatti (Tamil Nadu, India). Studied Prasthānatraya consisting of Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā, and Brahma Sūtra along with Śaṅkara-Bhāṣyas, and Sanskrit grammar including Pāṇini from 2014 to 2017, granted by blessing of Swami Dayānanda Sarasvati, Swami Sadātmānanda Sarasvati, Swami Śankarānanda Sarasvati, and Brahmacārinī Medha Michika.
Started teaching the knowledge of Vedanta and Sanskrit in 2017. However, could not dismiss the desire to understand the scriptures better, got another chance to study in a long-term course at Dayananda Ashram in Rishikesh, with a compassionate understanding of Swami Sakśatkṛtātmānanda Sarasvati. Completed the course in 2023.
After the courses, continue studying with Swami Tattvavidānanda Sarasvati in India and the USA while sharing the knowledge of Vedanta and Sanskrit online.
Before Vedanta, as a writer and photographer, worked in media, advertisement, Public Relations, and the music business, starting with Newsweek Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and others. Interviewed thousands of people for articles and traveled worldwide with cameras to report on people’s lives.