The Rochester Zen Center is part of two circles of the larger Buddhist community. Our inner circle, the Cloud-Water Sangha, is made up of groups led by Dharma successors and students of Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. It includes centers in Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, and Scandinavia, plus the U.S..
The larger network includes sister centers led by students of Roshi Kjolhede’s teacher, Roshi Philip Kapleau. They have several locations in the U.S., as well as Canada and Scotland.
Cloud-Water Sangha Centers
New Zealand
Auckland Zen Centre
Led by Ven. Amala Wrightson Roshi and Richard von Sturmer
Note: Richard will be sanctioned by Roshi Kjolhede June 30, 2024.
Scandinavia
Zenbuddhistiska Samfundet
(Swedish Zen Buddhist Society)
Led by Ven. Kanja Odland Roshi and Ven. Sante Poromaa Roshi
United States
Northeast
Rochester Zen Center
Near downtown Rochester, NY
Chapin Mill Retreat Center
In Batavia, NY, about half-way between Buffalo and Rochester
Both led by John Pulleyn Sensei and Ven. Dhara Kowal Sensei
Midwest
Cleveland Zazen Group
An RZC Affiliate Group led by Susan Rakow
Madison Zen Center
Madison, Wisconsin
An RZC Affiliate Group led by Rick Smith
Note: Rick Smith will be sanctioned by Roshi Kjolhede April 27, 2024
South
Louisville Zen Center
An RZC Affiliate Group led by Ven. Jissai Prince-Cherry
Sister Centers
United States
Northeast
Vermont Zen Center
Led by Ven. Sunyana Graef Roshi
Midwest
Chicago Zen Center
Evanston, IL
Led by Shodhin Geiman Sensei
South
Windhorse Zen Community
Asheville, North Carolina
Led by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi and Lawson Sachter Roshi
West
Mountain Gate
Ojo Sarco, New Mexico
Led by Mitra Bishop Roshi