The name, Blue Lotus Assembly (Sho-Ren Ko), was derived from the Shoren-In Blue Lotus Temple of Kyoto, former temple home of the poet-priest Jien, 62nd Zasu (Headmaster) of Tendai, whose name inspired the dharma name given to founder Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes.
Jien |
His first performance with Walter Micallef was during the latter's official launch of M'Jien Xejn at the Erin Serracino Inglott Hall in 2003 and plays the acoustic guitar on the March 2007 album Ħamsin.
He has featured on harmonica in Dominic Galea's jazz album Tribute, Andrew Cauchi's Bil-Qawwa ta' Mħabbtek and in both of Walter Micallef's album, M'Jien Xejn and Ħamsin.