SBZC is currently without a Guiding Teacher as we reflect on our path forward. We are deeply grateful for the wisdom and devotion of our past guiding teachers, Sensei Gary Koan Janka, Kaizan Doug Jacobson, and past affiliate teacher and priest Chobun Pamela Nenzen Brown, in nurturing our sangha.
Details on SBZC's recent leadership transition can be found in our Leadership Timeline. We remain committed to transparency as we navigate this time of change.
We are fortunate to have guest teachers offering their insight and experience to our community.
Past Guiding Teachers
Sensei Gary Koan Janka, Priest Emeritus
Sensei Gary Koan Janka, Priest Emeritus
Sensei Koan served as SBZC’s Head Teacher and Officiating Priest from April 2014 through December 2019 during which time he achieved his goal of building our sangha. With gratitude, we bow to him.
Kaizan Doug Jacobson
Kaizan Doug Jacobson began practicing Zen in 1974 with Dainin Katagiri Roshi in Minneapolis; he had Jukai in 1977. A householder, father, contractor, and civil/tunnel engineer, following his retirement, he became a full-time resident at Jikoji Zen Center* near Los Gatos. He received priest ordination in 2010 and Dharma transmission from Shoho Michael Newhall in 2015. He has led many sesshins, monthly zazenkais, periodic seasonal nature sesshins, and weekly dharma discussion groups. He also helped to maintain and develop infrastructure at Jikoji, getting his hands dirty as a form of Zen practice. In addition, he assists prisoners with Buddhist practice. Doug served as a guiding teacher for SBZC from January 2020 to April 2023
*Founded by Kobun Chino, Jikoji Zen Center, like SBZC, practices Soto Zen.
Past Affiliate Teachers
Pamela Nenzen Brown
In 2017, Pamela met Sensei Gary Koan Janka and has been sitting with Santa Barbara Zen Center ever since. Koan Sensei introduced Pamela and SBZC to Jikoji Zen Center, Pamela was ordained in Kobun Chino Ottogawa Roshi's lineage by Shoho Michael Newhall in 2020. She received dharma transmission from Jakko Eso Vanja Palmers at Felsentor, Switzerland in 2022.
Nenzen now serves as Guiding Teacher for the Valley Sangha and Co-Guiding Teacher for Jikoji Zen Center