About Us
The Puget Sound Zen Center is dedicated to fostering Buddhist wisdom and compassion through the practice and study of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
From its location in the Salish Sea region of western North America, the Puget Sound Zen Center home temple provides a quiet space in a noisy world where the diverse and inclusive Sangha and the wider community will gather and practice for years to come.
Our Sangha
The Puget Sound Zen Center is a community dedicated to practicing Zen, to teaching and living Buddhist principles, to supporting a vibrant sangha, and to serving our wider community.

Wherever you are in your spiritual practice you are welcome here.
Located on Vashon Island and West Seattle, the center is part of the life of those communities, while serving the wider Puget Sound area. Our community is open to all regardless of age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, or gender identity, or sexual orientation.
We hold practice daily and schedule a number of retreats annually. We also offer dharma study classes, discussion groups, community service opportunities, a precepts program and an ordination program. We are members of the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness and the Northwest Dharma Association.
Some at the Zen Center have been practicing Zen for decades and some are just starting out. Some attend services with other spiritual communities in addition to Zen.
Wherever you are in your spiritual practice you are welcome here.
Meet Our Teachers & Community Leaders
The Puget Sound Zen Center is guided by dedicated teachers, staff, and community members who help cultivate a welcoming and supportive space for practice. From offering teachings and leading meditation to organizing events and maintaining our Sangha, these individuals play a vital role in sustaining our community.
Learn more about the people who help bring PSZC to life.






Committees:
Serving the Sangha
The Puget Sound Zen Center thrives through the dedication of its committees, which help support and sustain our community. From organizing events and maintaining our space to guiding leadership and outreach efforts, these volunteer-driven groups ensure that PSZC remains a vibrant place for practice and connection.
Learn more about our committees and how you can get involved.
- Diane Sweetman
- Kevin Hoffberg
The Communications Committee publicizes the events and activities of PSZC with the goal of reaching as many potential stakeholders and attendees as possible. It manages the website, print communication, ads and flyers. Contact: pr@pszc.org.
- Chair: Kevin Hoffberg
- Lynda Fitzpatrick
- Chad Bishop
- Kara Hill
- Laurie Bardill
- Natalie Padilla
- Ryushi Todd Walker
- Amanda Knox
- Christopher Robinson
- Seizan Stephen Black – Design
The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to ensure the ethical conduct of members and teachers in all programs and activities. It is on-call to address any ethical issues that may arise for the sangha, and to provide a yearly ethics review. Email ethics@pszc.org to contact the committee with an ethical concern or issue, or for more information.
- Chair: Sheila Eckman
- Rachael Osborn
- Susan Rogers
Teacher Ethics Policy & Process
The Board and Ethics Committee voted in October 2016 to enact a Code of Ethics and Grievance and Reconciliation Policy for sangha members.
The Membership Committee takes care of sangha members and strives to encourage individuals who are interested in the practice, activities and work of PSZC to join as sustaining members. We welcome people to the sangha and express appreciation to sangha members. Contact: membership@pszc.org.
- Chair: Diane Schairer
- Cynthia Perkins
- Stevee Duber
- Elizabeth Nelson
- Joyce Hunziker
- Jean Berolzheimer
- Lin Koch
- Sherry Villanueva
- Suzanne Hubbard
The Programs Committee is responsible for developing the annual program calendar and subsequent monthly schedule of events and activities. Anyone is welcome at our meetings, and ideas for new Zen Center programs are always welcome anytime. Contact: programs@pszc.org.
- Chair: Shuko Sissel Johannessen (since 2021)
- Stephen Dockter
- Rachael Osborn
- Elizabeth Nelson
- Diane Sweetman
Created in 2022, the Steering Committee serves to maintain the vision of the Abbot, Board and Sangha in developing the Zen Center and grounds. It coordinates the efforts of the Building Committee and the Grounds Committee so the overall result is comprehensive and meets the PSZC mission, goals and values.
- Chair: Eko Jeff Kelley
- Lidunn Overdahl Cain
- Karen Hedlund
- Sheila Eckman
- Judy Tweet
- Kara Hill
- Josh Lawler
- Diane Schairer
- Jean Spohn
- Jeff Skolnick
- Joanne Loeliger
- Junko Belcourt
- Laurie Bardill
The Fundraising Committee raises funds to supplement PSZC’s income and meet the annual budget.
- Chair: Gerrit van Roekel
- Jeff Skolnick
- Jude O’Reilly
- Kimm Kambak
- Elizabeth D’Agostino
- Jen Spinney
- John Sweetman
- Anshin David Steel


Committees:
Serving the Sangha
The Puget Sound Zen Center thrives through the dedication of its committees, which help support and sustain our community. From organizing events and maintaining our space to guiding leadership and outreach efforts, these volunteer-driven groups ensure that PSZC remains a vibrant place for practice and connection.
Learn more about our committees and how you can get involved.
- Diane Sweetman
- Kevin Hoffberg
The Communications Committee publicizes the events and activities of PSZC with the goal of reaching as many potential stakeholders and attendees as possible. It manages the website, print communication, ads and flyers. Contact: pr@pszc.org.
- Chair: Kevin Hoffberg
- Lynda Fitzpatrick
- Chad Bishop
- Kara Hill
- Laurie Bardill
- Natalie Padilla
- Ryushi Todd Walker
- Amanda Knox
- Christopher Robinson
- Seizan Stephen Black – Design
The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to ensure the ethical conduct of members and teachers in all programs and activities. It is on-call to address any ethical issues that may arise for the sangha, and to provide a yearly ethics review. Email ethics@pszc.org to contact the committee with an ethical concern or issue, or for more information.
- Chair: Sheila Eckman
- Rachael Osborn
- Susan Rogers
Teacher Ethics Policy & Process
The Board and Ethics Committee voted in October 2016 to enact a Code of Ethics and Grievance and Reconciliation Policy for sangha members.
The Membership Committee takes care of sangha members and strives to encourage individuals who are interested in the practice, activities and work of PSZC to join as sustaining members. We welcome people to the sangha and express appreciation to sangha members. Contact: membership@pszc.org.
- Chair: Diane Schairer
- Cynthia Perkins
- Stevee Duber
- Elizabeth Nelson
- Joyce Hunziker
- Jean Berolzheimer
- Lin Koch
- Sherry Villanueva
- Suzanne Hubbard
The Programs Committee is responsible for developing the annual program calendar and subsequent monthly schedule of events and activities. Anyone is welcome at our meetings, and ideas for new Zen Center programs are always welcome anytime. Contact: programs@pszc.org.
- Chair: Shuko Sissel Johannessen (since 2021)
- Stephen Dockter
- Rachael Osborn
- Elizabeth Nelson
- Diane Sweetman
Created in 2022, the Steering Committee serves to maintain the vision of the Abbot, Board and Sangha in developing the Zen Center and grounds. It coordinates the efforts of the Building Committee and the Grounds Committee so the overall result is comprehensive and meets the PSZC mission, goals and values.
- Chair: Eko Jeff Kelley
- Lidunn Overdahl Cain
- Karen Hedlund
- Sheila Eckman
- Judy Tweet
- Kara Hill
- Josh Lawler
- Diane Schairer
- Jean Spohn
- Jeff Skolnick
- Joanne Loeliger
- Junko Belcourt
- Laurie Bardill
The Fundraising Committee raises funds to supplement PSZC’s income and meet the annual budget.
- Chair: Gerrit van Roekel
- Jeff Skolnick
- Jude O’Reilly
- Kimm Kambak
- Elizabeth D’Agostino
- Jen Spinney
- John Sweetman
- Anshin David Steel

Food Bank Garden
Dirt, sweat, and growing things – we love it. Thanks to the passionate and robust efforts of Shuko Sissel Johannessen the PSZC now supports an impressive vegetable garden for the Vashon Food Bank.
Generally Shuko and others are in the garden every Tuesday and Friday morngings from 9:00-11:00 AM. People are invited to stop by then or work an hour whenever they have time. There are a few tools on site, but feel free to bring your own.
Please contact Shuko Sissel Johannessen at shuko@pszc.org for directions to the garden or to discuss ideas for the garden or any questions you might have.