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My work has been in the field of engaged Buddhism. That is my own practice, which began in 1965 that formed the base for the work I was doing in the civil rights and anti-war movement.

I think my Buddhist practice has a profound influence on my life and encompasses my creative projects.

I try to make sure that the Buddhism is more or less implicit in the music rather than explicit.

I went to study some orchestration stuff because I got so inspired working with all the orchestras.

I approach everything as chamber music. Even with Beethoven symphonies, I lead from the violin and basically encourage the orchestra to think of it as a giant string quartet.

I never stopped studying Buddhism. In the past few years, in between movies, I do a retreat.

What inspires me is not so much the music as the opportunity to interact with composers. I think that has driven everything I've done.

I began like all composers, writing for small groups. Chamber groups.

I grew up in a mostly Buddhist environment.

I try to put the same spirit into that that I put into any other music endeavor I'm involved in.