Winter Ango Sesshin Dharma Talk by Nyoze Kwong roshi on February 14, 2025

Nyoze received a degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. He worked as a fundraiser in Stanford University’s Engineering Department. Nyoze has a background in Socially Engaged Buddhism, has trained with well-respected teachers in Japan and United States, and has over 30 years of meditation experience. Nyoze received jukai (lay precepts) in 1987 at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. In 2009 he was ordained as a novice monk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi. In 2012 he finished his formal Zen training at Eiheiji, oldest monastery and head temple of the Soto Zen School in Japan. He received Dharma transmission in 2014 and completed zuisse at both Eiheiji and Sojiji Head Temples of Sotoshu (the Soto School of Zen) in 2015. He is recognized by Sotoshu as a Kokusaifukyoshi (international zen teacher) in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Nyoze serves as Jushoku (Abbot) and is the Head of Practice and Executive Director of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. He lives at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with Kashin, his wife, and Ejo, their son. Join us online smzc.org