Born in Manchester, England, he moved to the United States in 1979 to study at the Zen Center of Los Angeles with founder Taizan Maezumi Rōshi, for whom he served as jisha (personal attendant).

In 1994, he received Dharma transmission (authorization to teach) in the White Plum lineage from Taizan Maezumi Rōshi.

He is certified as a Kokusai Fukyōshi ("Official Foreign Representative") by Sōtō-shū Shûmusôchô, that is, the Japanese Sōtō Zen sect.

[10] Tenshin Rōshi has trained thoroughly in kōan and shikantaza as well as other more recently developed forms of practice.

In addition to his work in the US, he returns to the UK annually to lead a sesshin near Liverpool.