Rev. Do-On Robert Thomas

For 21 years I have been studying and practicing Zen Buddhism, and for over six years of that time trained intensively as a Zen Buddhist monastic at Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center. I was ordained as a priest in 2000 and received Dharma Transmission from my teacher, Zoketsu Norman Fischer in 2009. (my Dharma name is Shi-Zan Do-On; Lion Mountain, Path of Kindness) My Buddhist practice and teaching is focused on realizing the practical benefits of Zen meditation, extending a deeply grounded, yet open and adaptable awareness into daily life. As a Dharma Teacher, I lead meditation retreats, workshops, and give public lectures throughout the year, and In 2012 I became a visiting Dharma Teacher at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM. Since 2001 I have been a leader of the San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC), one of the largest Buddhist sanghas outside of Asia. From 2005 to 2013 I served SFZC as President/Executive Director, overseeing its three centers and guiding a long-term vision to bring the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha to the world. I am currently leading a small team working on an exciting SFZC project to develop an innovative online open Zen 'practice center.' I am active in the San Francisco community, having served on the board of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, and for ten+ years have been a board member of Everyday Inc., which oversees the management of Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. Prior to full-time involvement with SFZC, I worked professionally as a film and video director and as a magazine editor/creative director. Since 1993 I have traveled extensively in South America and Asia, often with my wife, yoga teacher and acupuncturist, Samantha Ostergaard, and studying with teachers from various Buddhist/spiritual traditions in Thailand, India and Nepal.