The Phoenix Zen center has closed. Please contact Rev. Kaiten Johndennis Govert at 480.213.8979 e-mail at johndennis@govert.us

 

Our Mission:
Our mission is to work towards the cessation of suffering by providing Zazen (Meditation) and Dharma (the teachings) education and support for our community.

Our Temples:
Tucson – 7620 N. Hartman Lane, Suite 112,
Tucson, AZ • 520.904.9474

Trout Lake - PO Box 487,
Trout Lake, WA 98650 • 509.395.2030

Our Sanga (fellowship):
We are a mixture of individuals with many different religions who choose to practice meditation and follow the Dharma.

Our Sensei (teacher):
Kozen Sampson studied in Japan briefly with
Nanrei Kabori Roshi, then in the US with
Soyu Mastsuoka Roshi. Matsuoka Roshi then
sent him to Japan for to study with with Doki Suda Roshi, where he underwent Tokudo and Shu-so training.
Matsuoka Roshi later transmitted Kozen after a period
of time as the Long Beach Zen Center’s
administrative assistant.

Kozen’s Shu-so, and transmission were not recorded with
Soto Shu, as Matsuoka Roshi had separated his students
from Soto-Shu listings sometime after he came to the USA. (Please see Matsuoka Roshi’s brief biography in the
dedication section). It under Matsuoka Roshi’s directives
that Kozen teaches and maintains a temple.

Kozen has undergone Soto shu ordination (again) with
Saito Roshi. Saito Roshi and Kozen were both student
priests over 40 years ago in Southern Japan. They worked
and studied together at a large temple.
Kozen’s Soto shu ordination does not provide
credentials for him to teach.

Kozen is a simple monk who lives a celibate lifestyle,
eats an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, and attempts
to live the Dharma in all that he does. His primary
teacher, Matsuoka Roshi asked Kozen to start a
temple, teach, and carry on the Dharma.