He graduated from Ryukoku University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Buddhist History, and received a Master of Arts in Indian Buddhism from Ryukoku Graduate School. He has an expertise in Mahayana of Ancient India and Medieval China.

Aside from his diverse scholastic career, he spent most of his life as a priest at his family temple among the famous Aki Monto,Ethe devout Jodo Shinshu followers who live in the Aki (original name of Hiroshima) district. Sensei has always said that he was lucky to succeed in such a genuine Jodo Shinshu tradition. Sensei is now earnestly trying to transplant the True Jodo Shinshu Dharma to American soil.

Nakagawa Sensei was first assigned to the Fresno Buddhist Church from 1992 to 1994, and later as resident minister of the Oxnard Buddhist Temple and supervising minister of the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara from 1994 to 2001. Since November of 2001, he has been the resident minister of the White River Buddhist Temple.

Nakagawa Sensei is a well-trained practicer of Jodo Shinshu. Sensei is also well-known as a walking encyclopedia of Buddhism among priests.