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Prajna Zendo

Kannon Zendo,
Los Alamos

Roshi Musai Walter, teacher and priest at Prajna Zendo, began studying Zen in 1970 with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. He later became a student of Taizan Maezumi Roshi and remained with him until Roshi's death in 1995, when Musai became Jitsudo Sensei's student. Musai received dharma transmission from Jitsudo Sensei in 1999. In addition to Zen practice, Musai Roshi studied with Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche.

Musai Roshi received denkai from Genpo Roshi in 2004, studies Big Mind process with Genpo Roshi, and is an authorized teacher of Big Mind.

On January 23, 2008, Musai Roshi received Inka from Genpo Roshi, at Genpo Roshi's Mahasangha gathering, on the island of Ameland, off the coast of The Netherlands. Inka is a feature of our Rinzai lineage, and it is considered “the final seal of approval.”

The style of Zen Buddhism practiced at Prajna Zendo reflects the influence of Musai's teachers: Jitsudo Sensei, Genpo Roshi, and Maezumi Roshi. Maezumi Roshi received dharma transmission in both the Soto and Rinzai schools of Zen. He blended the elements of both schools into a vibrant teaching that encompasses the stillness of shikantaza (just sitting) and the energy of koan practice (the use of seemingly paradoxical stories as teaching devices). To this mix, Genpo Roshi has added the Big Mind process, bridging Western psychological understanding and authentic Zen practice.

Prajna Zendo welcomes people from all walks of life to pursue the opportunity to become intimate with a rich tradition that has now taken firm root in America.

photograph by Eric Arbiter