By: Stella sessions
Kanzeon Zen Center is a Buddhist temple and spiritual sanctuary located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The center is one of six of the original temples established in affiliation with the White Plum Asanga: “Asanga” generally meaning “without attachment“: part of a non-hierarchal lineage of Zen centers, led by members of the White Plum Asanga, and rooted in the teachings of Japanese Zen master Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995). The White Plum Asanga has played a pivotal role in adapting Zen to Western cultures, with a focus on ethical issues, social engagements, and inclusivity in addressing contemporary issues, such as social justice or interfaith dialogue, brought forth by its members. As a member of the White Plum Asanga, the Kanzeon Zen Center maintains strong ties with other Zen centers and Buddhist communities in the U.S. and Japan. These relationships foster feelings of interconnectedness and mutual support, enabling the exchange of resources, teachings, and intersectional practices. The 5 Core Values of the White Plum Asanga include:
- “A familiarity with the history of our lineage and appreciation for the gift of our heritage as White Plum Asanga.”
- “A growing awareness of the interdependence of all beings and consequently our engagement in the alleviation of the suffering of the world, including our careful behavior in all our relationships.”
- “A recognition of our own limitations and needs as teachers and leaders through the cultivation of self-awareness, enabling us to deeply appreciate the causes and effects of our actions on the sangha.”
- “An affirmation of the essential awakened nature of all beings, as seen in particular in the encouragement of our students to realize and actualize this.”
- “An openness to cultivating respect for diversity of religious traditions and dharma expressions, including non-hierarchical structures and processes among Asanga Members.”
Established in 1984, the Kanzeon Zen Center was founded by Dennis Merzel; otherwise known as Genpo Roshi; one of the twelve successors to Maezumi Roshi. The center serves as a hub for the practice, study, and dissemination of Zen Buddhism in the Western United States, offering programs and resources that integrate traditional Zen teachings with modern approaches to spirituality and psychology. Through these initiatives, Genpo Roshi has significantly shaped the accessibility of Zen practices and missions, and has allowed a more widespread community to formulate.
The history of Kanzeon Zen Center is deeply intertwined with the life and teachings of its founder. Originating from Brooklyn, New York, Dennis Merzel trained extensively under Taizan Maezumi Roshi, the founder of the White Plum Asanga and one of the most influential figures in bringing Japanese Zen to the Western world. After training for 15 years in both the United States and Japan, Merzel received Dharma transmission from Maezumi Roshi, in 1980, marking him as a recognized teacher within the Zen tradition. Four years later, Genpo Roshi opened the doors to the Kanzeon Zen Center in 1984, as a place where Western practitioners could study and embody Zen teachings. Under his leadership, the center became a focal point for the White Plum Asanga in the U.S., hosting retreats, workshops, and training programs for students of all levels. However, Genpo Roshi’s career has not been without controversy. In 2011, he resigned from his leadership position at the Kanzeon Zen Center, as well as from his membership with the White Plum Asanga, after admitting to ethical misconduct, including inappropriate relationships with Zen students, during a Netherlands retreat. This scandal initially caused a significant upheaval within the community, regarding fears surrounding power dynamics and hypocrisy in displayed actions compared to teachings. This led to a restructuring of the center’s governance and practices. Despite these challenges, Kanzeon Zen Center has continued to thrive, guided by senior Zen teachers, such as Richard Taido Christofferson, who have worked to uphold the center’s commitment to ethical practice and spiritual growth. Genpo Roshi’s leadership has since been reduced, mainly to leadership within his “5-5-0” Big Minds program.
One of Genpo Roshi’s most notable contributions was the development of the Big Mind process, a method that blends Zen principles with Western psychological techniques. This innovative approach aimed to make Zen’s profound insights more accessible, particularly to individuals unfamiliar with traditional Buddhist practices. The Big Mind process gained popularity for its ability to provide participants with a direct experience of mindfulness and self-awareness. In a 2009 interview, Genpo Roshi described the fundamentals of the Big Mind process as follows:
“Big Mind is obviously opening our mind to the infinite, just opening our consciousness to the infinite… Big Heart is when we include all the personal—the limited self, the small mind, the confined or limited mind—and the Big Mind. Out of the wisdom of Big Mind and the conventional wisdom of the limited self, we move to the apex and that’s Big Heart. We open our heart up to its limitless capacity, its unconditional love and caring. Its unconditional… Then we take these two into our daily life, and we function with wisdom and compassion—that’s Big Heart Big Mind.”
The Kanzeon Zen Center is rooted in the Sōtō Zen tradition, one of the two primary schools of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Sōtō Zen emphasizes shikantaza, or “just sitting,” a form of meditation, which involves being present with no specific object of focus. This practice encourages participants to cultivate mindfulness by embracing the present moment in its entirety. The center also incorporates elements of Rinzai Zen, particularly the use of koans—paradoxical questions/statements designed to challenge conventional thinking and foster direct insight towards the nature of reality.
The cornerstone of Kanzeon Zen Center’s practices is zazen– seated meditation. This practice serves as the primary method for developing mindfulness and spiritual clarity. Daily zazen sessions are intersected with a myriad of other activities, including:
– Dharma Talks: Weekly lectures given by Zen teachers, exploring Buddhist teachings, ethics, and their applications towards contemporary life
– Sesshin: Intensive meditation retreats, ranging for several days, including periods of silence, zazen, and mindfulness work
– Ceremonies & rituals
The center’s integration of traditional Zen practices with Western psychological frameworks reflects its commitment towards making the understanding of Buddhism relevant and accessible in a contemporary context. Central to this understanding is the emphasis on mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in each moment without judgment or distraction. This mindful approach extends beyond formal meditation to encompass all aspects of daily life, from work and relationships to personal reflection. The Big Mind process, for example, has been particularly influential in shaping the community’s understanding of Zen, providing a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern needs. By addressing issues such as stress, self-doubt, and the search for meaning, the center offers a holistic approach to spiritual development.
Kanzeon Zen Center is home to a vibrant and diverse community of practitioners, ranging from seasoned Zen students to curious newcomers. The center’s residential community includes approximately 12 to 15 individuals who live on-site and participate in the center’s daily activities. These residents are often deeply committed to their Zen practice and play a vital role in maintaining the center’s operations, from organizing events, to tending to the physical space, or maintaining bonds within and among the surrounding community.
Beyond the residential community, the center attracts a broader constituency of between 35 to 50 regular attendees, participating in weekly meditation sessions, Dharma talks, and workshops. Special events, such as retreats and seasonal celebrations, draw even larger crowds, with attendance often reaching 150 or more (as displayed in the image in the upper right). The implementation of remote/online participation in recent years has led to an increase in participation accessibility and inclusion, as well. The demographic profile of the community remains diverse, encompassing individuals of various ages, professions, and cultural backgrounds. And, while many practitioners are middle-aged or older adults, the center has experienced an increase in appeal to younger individuals in recent years.
The Kanzeon Zen Center offers and engages in a wide array of programs and events to support the spiritual development of its members. These engagements include:
- Daily morning meditation sessions: Intended to deepen mindfulness and concentration
- Weekly Dharma talks: Open to the public and led by experienced Zen teachers of the center. Topics range from discussions of classic Buddhist texts to contemporary modern worldly issues
- Monthly workshops: Focused on specific Zen practices, such as mindfulness, ethical living, and the use of koans
- Seasonal retreats: Multi-day events often encompassing zazen, walking meditation, and one-on-one meetings with Zen teachers
As part of their celebrated events, the Kanzeon Zen Center also celebrates key moments within the Buddhist calendar, such as Buddha’s Birthday and Rohatsu Sesshin: a retreat commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment. Holding space and presence for these events allows members to connect with broader Buddhist traditions, apart from those solely relevant to Western culture.
Lastly, the Kanzeon Zen Center functions as a non-profit organization. This means the center relies on a combination of funding sources- donations, retreat fees, and program fees- to sustain its program and facilities. To assist with events, grounds maintenance, and day-to-day operations, the center relies on the aid of its volunteers as well as its team of dedicated residents, administrative staff, and visiting Zen teachers. Through this collaborative approach, the Zen emphasis on shared responsibility and community engagement is perpetuated through the center’s functioning.
Work Cited
Big Minds official website, https://bigmind.org/
https://bigthink.com/videos/big-think-interview-with-dennis-genpo-merzel-roshi/
https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=51270057&itype=CMSID
https://www.7cups.com/local/us/ut/salt-lake-city/faith/kanzeon-zen-ctr-of-u-86427165259
https://www.deseret.com/2000/5/27/19560078/zen-master-teaches-one-ness-of-humanity/