Since 1998, eight of Roshi Kjolhede’s disciples have been authorized and are currently functioning as independent teachers in our lineage. Left to right are Gerardo Gally (Mexico), Ven. Sante Poromaa and Ven. Kanja Odland (Finland and (Sweden) to either side of Roshi, Ven. Amala Wrightson (New Zealand), and Robert Goldmann (Germany). In addition, John Pulleyn (not pictured) and Donna Kowal (not pictured) serve as co-directors of the Rochester Zen Center.

Cloud-Water Sangha

In traditional Buddhist terms, “Sangha” is defined as the community of ordained monks and nuns. However, Zen communities in the West are largely made up of lay practitioners, necessitating an expansion of the definition of Sangha. At the Rochester Zen Center, the title “Cloud-Water Sangha” designates those centers led by students of Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede, some of whom are now independent teachers themselves. “Cloud-Water” is a literal translation of “unsui,” the name used in Japan for a novice monk; clouds and water are much admired in Zen as models of adaptability and egolessness.

Together with the Madison Zen Center, which is led by one of Roshi’s senior students, these centers comprise the Cloud-Water Sangha.

In addition to the Cloud-Water Sangha, the Center has sitting groups in Cleveland and Louisville.

Affiliate Group Information

Finland

Venerable Kanja Odland, Roshi
Venerable Sante Poromaa, Roshi
Zenbuddhistiska Samfundet
(Swedish Zen Buddhist Society)
https://www.zentraining.org/

Germany

Robert Goldmann, Sensei
Berliner Zen-Gruppe
(Berlin Zen Group)
https://sites.google.com/site/berlinzen

Mexico

Gerardo Gally, Sensei
Casa Zen Mexico
https://casazenmexico.com/

New Zealand

Venerable Amala Wrightson, Roshi
Auckland Zen Centre
https://www.aucklandzen.org.nz/

Sweden

Venerable Kanja Odland, Roshi
Venerable Sante Poromaa, Roshi
Zenbuddhistiska Samfundet
(Swedish Zen Buddhist Society)
https://www.zentraining.org/

United States

Wisconsin

Madison Zen Center
Group leader: Rick Smith
https://madisonzen.org/

Ohio

Cleveland Zazen Group
Group Leader: Susan Rakow
https://www.zencleveland.com/

Kentucky

Louisville Zen Center
Group Leader: Jeanette Prince-Cherry
https://www.louisvillezen.org/