What is the New Spiritual Leadership Council?

For over 40 years, the ZCO bylaws designated Chozen Bays as the Spiritual Leader of the organization, responsible for matters of spiritual practice, liturgy and teaching.  In the last four decades our sangha has grown and we now have ten teachers with full Dharma Transmission, as well as an assortment of senior ordained people and Dharma Holders who lead weeknight meditation groups, zazenkai, City Refuge retreats, and assist with leading sesshin.  All of these wonderful people are time-tested. They have been practicing for decades and have proved themselves dedicated, ethical and trustworthy. We are so fortunate!

 

Larger Zen Centers like Zen Center of Los Angeles and Zen Center of San Francisco have adapted to this kind of growth by forming a council of elders or senior teachers to provide spiritual leadership. Inspired by their example, the ZCO Board and members voted to replace the single spiritual leader with a Spiritual Leadership Council. In order to maintain close connection with the ZCO Board, three members of the Council will serve on the Board. 

 

The initial five members of this first Council are Chozen Bays, Hogen Bays, Fuho Trussell, Kodo Conover, and Bansho Green. You can learn more about them here.

Please feel free to speak with any member of this Spiritual Leaders Council about matters of practice, liturgy and teaching.

 

With gratitude for our years of practice together,


Chozen