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Our Sangha Lineage
Southern Palm Zen Group is affiliated with the White Plum Asanga, founded by Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi, Roshi, who built the Zen Center of Los Angeles. We trace our lineage from him to his student, Bernie Glassman, Roshi, and his student, Peter Mathiessen, Roshi.
Hakuyū Taizan Maezumi
Maezumi Hakuyū (February 24, 1931–May 15, 1995) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and rōshi , and lineage holder in the Sōtō , Rinzai , and Sanbo Kyodan traditions of Zen. He combined the Rinzai use of kōan s and the Sōtō emphasis on shikantaza in his teachings, influenced by his years studying under Hakuun Yasutani in Sanbo Kyodan. He founded or co-founded several institutions and practice centers, including the Zen Center of Los Angeles , White Plum Asanga , Yokoji Zen Mountain Center and the Zen Mountain Monastery .
Bernie Tetsugen Glassman
In 1967, Bernie began his Zen studies with Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi, Founder of the Zen Center of Los Angeles. He became a Zen teacher in 1976, and in 1980 he founded his own Zen Community of New York in the Bronx, New York. He established a network of non-profit organizations that benefited the communities around him. His first was Greystone Bakery. In January of 1994, while leading a bearing witness retreat in Washington, DC, Bernie decided to create the Zen Peacemaker Order, for Zen practitioners dedicated to the cause of peace and social justice. In 1995 Bernie Glassman received inka, the final seal of approval from his teacher.
Peter Muryo Matthiessen
Roshi Peter Muryo Matthiessen was a master novelist, naturalist, and dedicated voice for nature. He was especially concerned with ecological issues and social issues, such as the rights of indigenous peoples. As a Buddhist priest and teacher, he established the Ocean Zendo in Sagaponick, Long Island, NY. He was founder of The Paris Review. He has written over thirty fiction and nonfiction books, and many powerful, deeply researched articles. He was Roshi Glassman's first Dharma successor, who gave him inka, that is, formal recognition as a Zen Master in January 1997.
Mitchell Doshin Cantor
Doshin began his Zen studies in 1978 with Peter Muryo Mathiessen Roshi and Madeline Koi-Bastis Sensei at the Ocean Zendo in Sagaponick, Long Island. When he moved to Florida in 1995, he established the Southern Palm Zen Group. In addition, he facilitated the creation of a statewide network of Zen groups in the Florida Prison System. Over the years, Doshin attended numerous sesshins with other teachers in the White Plum lineage, including Bearing Witness retreats with Bernie Glassman Roshi and the Zen Peacemaker Order. Doshin has retired as an active teacher and his legacy continues to inspire the current leadership team.
Wilbur Mushin May
Mushin's spiritual journey started with Herrigel's book, Zen in the Art of Archery, when he was still a teenager. He had an authentic introduction to Zen at Hosshinji Monastery, Japan, under Harada Roshi. Training periods followed with Aitken Roshi in Hawaii, John Tarrant in Australia, Gesshin Prabhasa Dharma in the US, and his last but most significant teacher, Mitchel Doshin Cantor. Mushin describes himself as a teacher of no-thing. He has retired as an active teacher but remains an inspirational embodiment of the Zen tradition.
Supporting Teachers
Southern Palm Zen Group has been supported and nourished by these notable teachers in our sister lineage traditions.