In the 1950s, while studying to be an art teacher at San Jose State University, Kwong was in a car accident that nearly killed him.

He soon married and took a job as a sign painter, leaving school early due to clashes with his art instructor.

Kwong and his wife Laura were looking for an alternative lifestyle at this time, when Bill happened upon an article in a Japanese newspaper with a feature story on Shunryu Suzuki.

In 1973, with Laura (ordination name Shinko) and four sons, Kwong moved to an old farm in Sonoma County, California, with the intention of establishing a meditation center there.

In the years since, he has traveled to both Poland and Iceland to lead retreats and workshops, giving Dharma talks to affiliate groups.