Meet the Teachers

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Kyogen Carlson, abbot and godo of Dharma Rain Zen Center. OK, the photo is a bit dated, but we haven't had some good photos taken recently!

Kyogen sensei giving a Dharma Talk in the Zendo. Sunday Dharma Talks take place after service at about 10:40am. As Godo, Kyogen is the person primarily in charge of lectures, classes, and other formal teaching. Click for larger view

Another old photo, showing Kyogen in the purple kesa worn at Shasta Abbey, with hossu and Roshi Kennet's shakujo, or monk's staff. Click here for larger view


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Gyokuko Carlson, abbot and director of Dharma Rain Zen Center. Gyokuko and Kyogen share the position of abbot, but take on different responsibilities for running the temple.

Gyokuko sensei giving a Dharma Talk in the Zendo. 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. Click here for a larger view

Right: An older photo of Gyokuko in the purple rakhusu of Shasta Abbey days.


Below: Gyokuko and Kyogen together, taken at the same time. Click here for larger view

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Kyogen in the Zendo, giving instructions before a ceremony. This is a very typical pose...

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Kyogen and Gyokuko after a sesshin. In this case, Gyokuko was Doshi (led the sesshin) while Kyogen was Ino (led the chanting).

Gyokuko, Chozen, & Kyogen at the New Years' celebration. Jan Chozen Bays is the resident teacher of Zen Community of Oregon. DRZC and ZCO cooperate on a number of events each year, including retreats, classes, and events such as the New Years Eve ceremony and celebration. Click here for a larger view

Gyokuko with Rev. Eko Noble, a Shingon priest in Portland, at the "Whirled Music" fundraising event July 1999. Click here for larger view

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Kyogen with Sallie Jiko Tisdale, a lay disciple of his who is taking on teaching duties and has received lay transmission from him.

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Dharma Rain Zen Center sends people out to schools and other churches when they request speakers, and also has students in to the center to get an idea of what it is we do. Here Kyogen is giving a talk to a local high school group.

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Kyogen in the zendo, about 1995.

Gyokuko, Chozen Bays, and Kyogen at Still Meadow Retreat Center after a joint ZCO-DRZC sesshin. Zen Community of Oregon and Dharma Rain Zen Center have been holding Ango, a month long training period, together to mutual benefit. Click here for a larger image

Gyokuko with Diane Kyonin Lee, her lay disciple and Kyogen's assistant in the office. Click here for a larger image

Gyokuko on the porch at the Center House after Dharma School, a program she was instrumental in starting. With her is Dharma School mother Marta Farris. Click for a larger image

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Gyokuko in front of the Center House in 1989

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Kyogen in front of the Center House in 1989, sporting a beard that didn't make it into the 90s.