The fundamental task of the Zen teacher is to help the student to recognize their true nature, and to guide them along the path of clarifying and integrating that recognition.
TEACHERS
TESSHIN HOZAN (BRAND) ROSHI, ABBOT
Tesshin Brand Roshi (Tesshin Hozan) is the Abbot (shike) of Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple in Chicago. Tesshin began formal Zen training in 1990 under Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, former Abbot of Daihonzan Chozen-ji and primary Dharma heir of Omori Sogen Roshi. He continued under So'zan Miller Roshi, Hosokawa Roshi's heir and former Abbot of Daiyuzenji. Tesshin Roshi trained extensively in Hojo (a set of kata of the Jiki-shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship) under So’zan Miller Roshi and Gerald Yamamoto, a direct student of Omori Roshi.
Tesshin Roshi was ordained in 2007 and in 2014 received inka shomei (mind seal) from So'zan Miller Roshi, acknowledging him as the 86th Dharma successor.
JITSUZAN GENTETSU (CARABELLO) SENSEI
Jitsuzan began Zen practice in 1987 and trained under Shaku Joseph Jarman, Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, former Abbot of Chozen-ji, and finally under So’zan Miller Roshi, former Abbot of Daiyuzenji. He took ordination under So'zan Roshi in 2019. In addition to Zen, he studied chanoyu (tea ceremony), shodo (calligraphy), and ikebana (flower arrangement) for 11 years and was given permission from Dr. Seiko Nakashima to teach chanoyu in 2011. He has been a certified Ultimate Human Performance (UHP) coach since 2019.
GAKUDO DAIZAN (MIDGLEY) SENSEI
Gakudo began Rinzai Zen practice in 2011 and started his formal training under So'zan Miller Roshi, former abbot of Daiyuzenji, in 2014. He has continued training as Tesshin Roshi's student since 2022 and was ordained by him in 2024. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in philosophy, having specialized in Buddhist and Daoist thought.
TEACHERS EMERITUS
SO’ZAN DAITETSU MILLER ROSHI
So'zan Miller Roshi helped establish Daiyuzenji in 2002 and became its first Abbot in 2005 when Hosokawa Roshi designated Daiyuzenji as a fully independent Zen temple. So'zan Roshi trained under Toyoda Rokoji, Tanouye Roshi, and Hosokawa Roshi, ordaining in 1993. In 2002 he was named one of Hosokawa Roshi's dharma heirs. Since his retirement in 2022, Miller Roshi has been an advisor to Daiyuzenji and leads the Sunday morning book study group.