Chigan R. Jaeckel Roshi, Abbot
A native of Austria, Chigan-kutsu Kyo-On Dokuro Jaeckel Roshi began his formal Zen training in 1982 under Genro Seiun Osho, a disciple of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Entrusted with leading a sitting group in 1984, he continued his studies with Joshu Roshi and was ordained a monk at Mt. Baldy Zen Center (California) in 1989 and given the monks name Dokuro. In 2004, he received Temple Dharma Transmission from Joshu Roshi in the Rinzai-ji lineage and the title Osho. Chigan Roshi became a disciple of Shinge Roshi when his ordination master, Joshu Roshi, retired. He became Shinge Roshi’s first Dharma Heir on Nov. 25, 2017, at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Three years later, on Nov. 29, 2020, in a shitsugo (room name) ceremony, Shinge Roshi gave him the name Chigan-kutsu (Wisdom Mirror-Cave) and the title Roshi, or Zen Master. After serving several years as Vice-Abbot, Chigan Roshi was installed as the abbot of the Zen Studies Society on November 24, 2023. He also serves as the abbot of Charles River Zen in Boston and was abbot of the Cambridge Buddhist Association (CBA) from 2004 to 2011. Additionally, Chigan Roshi served on the Zen Studies Society Board of Directors for six years and has been a Buddhist Chaplain at Harvard University since 2007.
Shinge Sherry Chayat Roshi, Retired Abbott
Shinge-shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi served as abbot of the Zen Studies Society from January, 2011 to September, 2023. She began formal Zen practice in 1967 at the Zen Studies Society’s first location on the Upper West Side of New York City. She was co-director and resident at Dai Bosatsu Zendo from 1974 to 1976 during its pioneer years. In 1998, she received Dharma Transmission from the founding abbot, Eido Shimano Roshi, and in 2008 was authorized as a Roshi, and given the name Shinge, meaning “heart-mind flowering.” She has also served as the spiritual director and abbot of the Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji since 1996. In addition to her work as a Zen teacher, Shinge Roshi is an award-winning writer. She compiled and edited Eloquent Silence: Nyogen Senzaki’s Gateless Gate and Other Previously Unpublished Teachings and Letters and Endless Vow: The Zen Path of Soen Nakagawa, with Eido Shimano Roshi and Kazuaki Tanahashi. Her articles have appeared in a range of publications including Buddhadharma, Tricycle, Tikkun, ARTNews, Sculpture Magazine, and American Ceramics.
Hokuto Daniel Diffin Osho, Senior Teacher
Hokuto Daniel Diffin Osho has been associated with Zen Studies Society since 1978. He was ordained in 1980, and became a student of Shinge Roshi in 2010. Hokuto Osho was named a Dharma teacher of Zen Studies Society in 2015 and received inka shomei, or Dharma transmission, in 2022. A medical doctor specializing in vascular and interventional radiology, Hokuto Osho has a background in Christian contemplative thought, and a lifelong interest in poetics. He is certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction, a program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Hokuto Osho has served on the Zen Studies Board of Directors, most recently as President.