Our Teachers
Buddha Vairocana, the “Resplendent One,” performing the teaching gesture (dharmacakramudra). Flanked by two unidentified bodhisattvas, and in the upper corners, teachers, also unidentified. Tibet, 14th century, painting (pigments on cloth). Rubin Museum of Art and Google Arts & Culture.
The Monterey Bay Zen Center Teaching Council
Practice Leaders
Biographies
(alphabetically)
Click any individual’s name above to email them directly,
or jot down their phone number to call.
Shogen Danielson - Guiding Teacher
SHOGEN NYOHO
Luminous Night :: Tender Release
Inspired by a trip to India and Nepal in 1996, Shōgen, then Andy, picked up a copy of Huston Smith's ‘The World's Religions’ only to discover that he was a Buddhist. After his first stint in the US Peace Corps in Africa, where he began sitting and studying Buddhist teachings, he resettled in the San Francisco Bay Area seeking the Treasure of Sangha. He found it at the San Francisco Zen Center in 2001 where he met his teacher, Teah Strozer. He ordained as a priest with her in 2008, was head monk at Tassajara Zenshin-ji in 2013 and received Dharma Transmission from Teah Roshi in 2022. His formal education includes a B.S. in Engineering Physics with a minor in Astronomy and a M.S. in Physics and Astronomy. He loves the Buddhadharma, nature, music and sharing life with his children.
Sara Hunsaker
JOSEI MYOKO
Riding Spirit :: Wondrous Light
While in India in 1972, I did several 10-day Vipassana retreats with Goenka-ji, and thus began my Buddhist practice. In 1988, under the guidance of Sobun Katherine Thanas-Roshi, I began sitting with Monterey Bay Zen Center and received jukai in 1992. A month with Hoitsu Suzuki-Roshi in Yaizu, Japan, deepened my path. From 1996-1997 I trained at Tassajara and Green Gulch. Myoan Grace Schireson-Roshi became my teacher, and I received priest ordination in 2008. At Empty Nest Zen Center I enjoyed the 3-year SPOT leadership training, many of the Women’s Retreats and was shuso there for 2010 practice period. Dharma transmission was bestowed in 2014. I had the privilege of studying Zen sewing with Zenkei Blanche Hartman-Roshi. Carmel Valley has been my home since 1980 and wherever I am is a temple.
Robert Reese - Guiding Teacher
GOTSUSAN JUNDO
Steadfast Mountain :: Pure Hearted Way
Robert Reese began formal practice at Monterey Bay Zen Center in 1988 and was lay ordained in 1993. He received priest ordained and dharma transmission 2010 with Sobun Katherine Thanas, Roshi. From 2007 to 2010, he studied in the Open Source koan tradition with Joan Sutherland, Roshi. He has been a chaplain at Monterey County Jail, at Heartland Hospice and the Community Hospital for the Monterey Peninsula. A member of the Monterey Bay Zen Center Teaching Council, he has led classes, sittings and workshops and co-led Practice Periods. His writing has been published in The San Francisco Examiner, Ceramics Monthly, Zen Quarterly and Parbabola, among other publications. His essays have been published in the anthologies, Best Spiritual Writing (Harper/Collins) and Passion for Place (Risingleaf Impressions).
Guy Riina
CHOAN TETSUGEN
Morning Hermitage :: Penetrate Source
After 25 years of Raja Yoga meditation practice, Guy committed to Soto Zen in 2015. He received Jukai (lay ordination) in 2017; was Shuso (head student) in 2018, and was ordained as a Soto Zen Priest in 2022. Guy coordinates and leads Brown Bag Zen on Fridays and Midweek Meditation on Wednesdays as well as periodic classes and sittings.
Diane Wells-Nowell
KANSHIN ZENKEI
Broad Heart :: Full Function
Diane began her meditation life at San Francisco Zen Center in 1982. She received Jukai precepts in 2014, and was Soto priest ordained in 2022 with Robert Reese at Monterey Bay Zen Center. Diane apprenticed as a teacher at San Francisco Zen Center sewing room for 3 years with Christine Palmer and Tim Wix. She coordinates and leads Morning Zazen on Mondays and Thursdays and is the resident sewing teacher in addition to offering periodic classes and sittings.
Patricia Wolff
SEIFU TENNEN
Pure Wind :: Unfabricated Nature
Patricia started her Zen meditation practice in 1987. She met Sobun Katherine Thanas-Roshi at Tassajara in 1990 and subsequently started sitting with the MBZC. In 1995, she received jukai and in 2010 lay entrustment from Katherine. She received her certificate of Zen Ministry in October of 2012 after completing the 3 year S.P.0.T. Sangha Leadership Training Program. In addition to her role on the Teaching Council, she leads Mountains and Rivers, a biweekly Carmel Valley sitting group and teaches classes and workshops, exploring mind-body practices which cultivate wisdom and compassion. Patricia is the mother of 2 semi-grown children and blends her skills as a homeopathic/chiropractic physician and psychotherapist from her Carmel Valley home.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities,
in the expert’s there are few.”