Genjo

Genjo began his Zen training in 1975 after befriending Rev. Daizen Brian Victoria at UCLA and began practicing zazen under the instruction of Thích Thiên-Ân. Genjo did his first sesshin in the summer of 1977 under the instruction of Hirano Osho-san, and was ordained an unsui (priest in training) in 1980. For parts of 1981 and 1982 he trained for one winter period at Ryutaku-Ji (龍澤寺) in Japan, under Sochu Suzuki Roshi and retired Soen Nakagawa Roshi.  For a time both Genjo and Genki trained with Joshu Sasaki.

Genjo was formally installed as our second Abbot of Chobo-ji, following his ordination teacher Genki Takabashi, on Rinzai Zenji’s memorial day, January 10th, 1999. Chobo-ji is in the Rinzai (Hakuin Ekaku Zenji Dharma Line). After Genki Takabayashi retired, Genjo trained with the late Eido Shimano, former abbot of Dai Bosatsu Monastery in New York, who affirmed Genjo as Dharma Heir on May 21st, 2008. 

Genjo’s Dharma Talks and essays have been published in several Dharma journals beginning with the Theosphical Society’s Quest Magazine in 1991 and more recently in the Lion’s Roar and NWDA News.  Genjo’s commentary on Koan Practice has been translated into several languages. Genjo has writen a book about his life and training, Reflections on Awakening & Maturity and a second book which is an anthology of his talks and Teishos, Intimate Infinite

Genjo has served the greater Seattle community as an Adjunct Faculty member at Antioch University Seattle in Buddhist Studies, a volunteer Buddhist pastor for the Washington State Department of Corrections, and has worked repeatedly with the Church Council of Greater Seattle in interfaith trauma response to tragedies. Currently  serves on the Faith Action Network Interfaith Leadership Council and with Faith Action Network’s Interfaith Network for Indigenous Communities. In addition he is a member of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and Zen Peacemakers organizations where he has received Witness Council training and participated in international Bearing Witness retreats at Auschwitz/Birkenau, Rwanda and the Black Hills of SD.

In addition to being an Abbot, Genjo is a psychotherapist in private practice, a certificated spiritual director from a program that was at that time affiliated with the Vancouver School of Theology. He is married to wife, Carolyn, and devoted father to daughter, Adrienne, and happy in company with his dog, Charlie.