Meet Zen Master Genpo Roshi |
| 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 the Wisdom and Compassion of Zen Teachings to people in Europe and North America. He developed the Big Mind process as a way to help westerners experience the insights of Zen for themselves and to discover our true nature. |
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 Zen Classes
Introduction to Zen with Genpo Roshi Genpo Roshi will be teaching from the famous lectures by Yasutani Roshi found in "The Three Pillars of Zen". 4 Saturdays Starting November 18 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM MST Public Welcome! $200 per person Free for Active Student and Student Plus Members | 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. December 27 - 31 on Zoom 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM MST. Five Days. Limited to 5 people.
| The Gift of No Fear Retreat 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! Saturday & Sunday February 3 & 4 from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm MST $200 per person Free for Kanzeon Big Mind Members |
Big Heart In-Person Retreats in Hawaii
Big Heart Events are special In-Person 5-Day 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. | Sunday Sangha Zen Talks with Genpo Roshi Genpo Roshi’s Sunday talks have long been a highlight of Kanzeon/Big Mind life, a great introduction to Roshi, 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, usually at 12:00 PM US Mountain Time. You'll have a chance to raise your hand and ask Roshi your questions about Zen. | In-Person Retreats in the Mountains of Utah
Every year we have a big in-person retreat here in Utah which is the home base of Kanzeon Sangha. All are welcome. This retreat for 2024 hasn't been scheduled yet. Stay tuned here for further information. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on all our upcoming events. Scroll back up a few inches and you'll see it. |
Resources to help on your Zen journey
It's been said that for beginners Zen can seem like a vast and shrouded wilderness.
You don't have to go it alone, we're here to help. Our teachers are very accessible and are happy to answer any and all questions.
Genpo Roshi's Blog
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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.