Dharma Rain - Our Teachers

Our Teachers

The two resident teachers of the Dharma Rain Zen Center are called "sensei," which indicates a teacher, and means "one who has gone before." In Zen practice there is no line drawn between a daily life of mindful attention and the spiritual exercise of meditation, so they serve both as teachers to the Sangha (community), and temporal directors of the daily work of the temple.

Whether lecturing, giving private counseling, pointing out a mistake, or teaching by example, it is their purpose to help each student find his or her own center in meditation, understand the Precepts in daily life, and bring an energetic mindfulness to all situations. Above all, they wish to help the students fully realize their own potential in practice.

 

Abbot Kyogen Carlson

Abbot Kyogen Carlson (right) was ordained by Roshi Jiyu-Kennett in 1972 at Shasta Abbey, where he trained as a monk for five years before receiving full certification as a teacher (Dharma Transmission and inka). He remained at Shasta Abbey another five years to continue training, and to serve as a staff member and personal assistant to Roshi Kennett. As Godo, Kyogen is the person primarily in charge of lectures, classes, and other formal teaching.

Co-Abbot Gyokuko Carlson

Gyokuko Carlson (left) is co-abbot. She was ordained in 1975 by Roshi Jiyu-Kennett at Shasta Abbey. In 1980 she graduated from the seminary program, then remained at Shasta Abbey to deepen her practice and to help out as a staff member until she and Kyogen-sensei married in 1982 and came to Oregon to teach.

Gyokuko prefers working with people one-on-one or in small groups, and specializes in daily life practice which makes her the natural person to be in charge of the daily affairs of the Center. That is the role of the Kanin, or Director.

 

In 1986, after much discussion, Kyogen and Gyokuko resigned their membership in the organization headquartered at Shasta Abbey. Dharma Rain Zen Center is an independent organization.

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