History & Lineage
A living tradition, rooted in Rinzai Zen, shaped by ethical clarity and an enduring commitment to community.
Roots and Early Years
The Puget Sound Zen Center was founded in 2003 on Vashon Island by Koshin Christopher Cain. From its beginning, PSZC was grounded in Rinzai Zen practice, emphasizing zazen, classical Zen training, and strong and healthy community. Early practice took place in modest rented spaces, sustained by a small but dedicated sangha whose commitment allowed the center to grow slowly and surely.
Over time, the center developed various programs that reflected both traditional practice and contemporary life, including residential retreats, Family Zen offerings, dharma study groups, and community service.
Independence and Ethical Commitment
In the early 2010s, the Puget Sound Zen Center entered a period of careful reflection regarding institutional affiliation and responsibility. In 2012, our Abbot, Koshin Christopher Cain, resigned from the umbrella organization of Rinzai-ji. In 2013, the Puget Sound Zen Center formally separated from that organization.
This decision followed the failure of Rinzai-ji to adequately address the legacy of sexual misconduct by its founding teacher, Joshu Sasaki Roshi.
The separation marked an important turning point for the sangha. In the years that followed, PSZC focused on strengthening transparent governance, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and establishing an independent ethics committee. These structures reflect our commitment to practice that is both deep and accountable.
Lineage and Practice
PSZC continues to practice within the Rinzai Zen tradition. At the same time, the sangha understands Zen as a living tradition that has always developed through dialogue, cross-pollination, and adaptation.
Our practice is rooted in classical forms—zazen, ritual, study, and community—while remaining open to the wisdom and experience of teachers from other Zen lineages who share our commitments to practice and ethical clarity.
Teachers and Transmission
Among the teachers who serve the Puget Sound Zen Center is our Assistant Teacher, Eko Jeff Kelley, a Soto Zen priest with long experience in teaching and practice. After retiring as guiding teacher of Seattle Soto Zen and moving to Vashon Island, Eko joined PSZC and has taken on an important teaching role within the sangha. While our center’s primary training forms remain Rinzai, his presence enriches our community and reflects the mutual respect that exists across Zen traditions.
From 2012 until her death in December 2022, PSZC was also shaped by the presence of Genko Kathy Blackman, an Assistant Teacher and Rinzai Zen Osho in the lineage of Genki Takabayashi, founder of Chobo-ji in Seattle. Genko co-taught extensively with Koshin for nearly a decade, offering steady guidance, clarity, and depth of practice to the sangha. Her influence remains an important part of the Zen Center’s life and teaching.
In 2024, Koshin was entrusted with koan transmission by Jeong Ji Anita Feng, a Zen master in the Korean Zen tradition with whom he had studied koans for many years. This transmission marked the beginning of his work offering koan practice, grounded in long preparation and ongoing study.
"We are committed to a practice that is ethically grounded, transparently led, and inclusive of all beings."