Meet Zen Master Genpo Roshi What would you ask a Zen Master? What would you ask if you only had 10 years, 10 months, or 10 days left in life? What are your fears? What are your doubts? What should you do when you are at a crossroads? For over 2500 years Zen practices and teachings have been treasured as a means for awakening to the essential nature of life, of reality, and a key to living a full, meaningful life. Working with a Zen Master can help untie the knots inside us and clear the way for living in harmony with others, with the world around us, with our very life as we experience it, day by day, moment by moment. Ask him your question in one of our Classes or Retreats or contact us to make arrangements for one on one time. |
| Genpo Roshi is the founder and spiritual leader of Kanzeon Big Mind Sangha. He became a monk in 1973 and is the second successor of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Los Angeles Zen Center. For 50 years he has dedicated his life to bringing authentic Zen teachings to people everywhere. He developed the Big Mind process as a way to help westerners experience the transformational insights of Zen for themselves. |
Transform Your Life with Online Classes
Kanzeon Big Mind Events are open to everyone!
Kanzeon Big Mind Sangha has members and participants from North America, South America, Europe and Australia. Our live Zoom classes are timed for convenience in many time zones. While our classes are conducted in English, we offer live interpreters for several other languages.
Introduction to Big Mind with Genpo Roshi
Since Genpo Roshi developed the Big Mind process over 25 years ago it has proven to be an amazingly effective tool to help Zen students have actual personal experiences of the profound truths of Zen Buddhism. At the same time it is very useful for clearing away shadows, knots and barriers to awakening.
You can learn about how Big Mind works and begin to use it on yourself to further your own awakening.
On Saturday August 3rd, Genpo Roshi will offer a 2.5 hour class introducing the Big Mind process to you. You will see how it works, watch it being done by Genpo Roshi and come away with some basic skills so that you can begin using this ground breaking method to advance your own Zen practice in a way that is fun, easy and deeply life changing.
Join us for this class and see for yourself.
Open to the Public / No Experience Necessary
$100
The Art of Aging 2 - Day Retreat
Genpo Roshi knows a little bit about aging as he just turned 80. This Weekend Retreat will be all about facing the truth of aging, appreciating the joy that comes with the wisdom and experience of life, and the recognition that there's still growing up and waking up to do.
Open to the Public
2.5 hours of inspirational and practical information per day.
$600 per person
The Kensho Retreats
The Kensho Retreats Five Days of Awakening with Genpo Roshi A rare opportunity to work with Genpo Roshi in a small group online to explore this most fundamental experience of Zen, the experience of Awakening.
Five Days. Limited to 5 people. Reserve your spot now.
| Living Zen
Living Zen Classes are led by Genpo Roshi's Successor Teachers, Mark Kanchi Roshi, Mary Ellen Jisho Roshi and Alexandra Mushin Sensei in rotation. These informal classes are designed for Zen students to ask questions and receive advice about their personal practice. Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST Public Welcome! $25 per class Free for all Kanzeon Big Mind Members | Sunday Talks with Genpo Roshi Genpo Roshi’s and his successor teachers Sunday talks have long been a highlight of Kanzeon/Big Mind life, introducing Zen and Big Mind for beginners, and a vital source of inspiration and community for long-time students and members. Sunday Talks on Zoom take place about twice a month, at 1:00 PM US Mountain Time. Public Welcome! $25 per class Free for all Kanzeon Big Mind Members |
Zazen Meditation Groups Online
Zazen with Mary Ellen Jisho Roshi Monday & Thursday 7:30 to 8:20 AM (MST) 4:30 to 5:20 AM Hawaii time (HST) Zazen with Alexandra Mushin Sensei (Mushin Sensei is traveling with her family. Morning Zazen will resume in September) Tuesday through Friday 6:30 to 7:20 AM (CET) 7:30 to 8:20 PM Hawaii time (HST) This new offering is for Kanzeon Members only. Members will receive the zoom link automatically. | Big Heart Retreats in Hawaii
Big Heart Events are special In-Person Weeklong intensive retreats that are limited to a minimum of 3, and a maximum of 7, participants who wish to go very deep into their personal practice with the guidance of Zen Master Genpo Roshi. These are scheduled and booked well in advance and take place at a beautiful residence on Manini Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Plan ahead. | The Gift of No Fear Retreats
The Gift of No Fear Retreats with Genpo Roshi Our 2024 Series of 2-Day Weekend Retreats are designed to address the role of Fear in our lives and how it holds us back from achieving the things we want for ourselves, our families, friends and community. Public Welcome! |
Genpo Now
Meditation Instructions
How I Teach Sitting Meditation Now by Genpo Roshi Click picture to listen | Introduction to Zen
with Genpo Roshi New to Zen? Start Here! Four consecutive Saturday classes. Upcoming this Fall. Public Welcome! $200 per person for 4 classes Free for all Kanzeon Big Mind Members |
Student Experiences
Hear from people who have attended our events
“I was three times in Ameland, and the Big Mind sessions framed in a sesshin were a life changer for me. If you play the game (honestly) it is a thrilling experience. Even by teleconference, where the direct contact energy is missing, I still had a number of insights about myself, about my Zen practice. I am really grateful for this opportunity to work again with Genpo Roshi. I live in Europe and it is quite difficult for me to come to US for his live sesshins.” — A.P. | “If you want to be involved in this amazing method that Roshi developed without creating a huge carbon imprint on the world, this is your opportunity! It is a wonderful way to work with Roshi and connect with the Sangha at the same time!” — J.W. | “For me, the ability to suddenly be moved by someone’s struggle, then to watch them make breakthroughs, reach reversals in understanding, in a matter of minutes, inspires and informs my own practice immensely. Who says a Zoom session can’t be life-changing?” — T.G. | “It was a transformational experience, both in the teaching sessions with Roshi and in the practice triads. There was a very good balance between practice, teachings, and being able to receive Roshi’s priceless feedback and facilitation. The interaction with diverse people from different countries and cultures enriched the overall experience; the voices worked were very interesting and profound, and gave me key insights about relevant life issues.” — A.G. |
Kanzeon Big Mind Sangha
We are a non-profit organization, founded by Zen Master Genpo Roshi in 1984 after he spent 15 years training under Taizan Maezumi Roshi of the Los Angeles Zen Center and becoming his second successor Zen teacher. Since then, we have carried on our mission of teaching Zen principles and practices to Western audiences throughout North America and Europe. Our unique style and methods are geared to the needs of modern people dealing with the particular stresses and strains of current culture and society. We invite you to join us on a journey of self discovery and empowerment, supported by a community dedicated to the personal advancement of the fundamental Zen Buddhist principles of wisdom and compassion.