History and Lineage of the Worcester Zen CommunityDavid Dayan Rynick Sensei and Rev. Melissa Myozen Blacker Sensei guide
the Worcester Zen Community, and, together with Rev. James Myoun Ford
Roshi are the guiding teachers of Boundless Way Zen. In 1992 David, Melissa
and friends who wanted to practice meditation together created the Sunday
Night Sitting Group at the Berwick Street location, and the following
year David and Melissa established a Zen Meditation group at the First
Unitarian Church in Worcester. A few years later, the two groups merged
to become the Worcester Zen Group, now known as the Worcester Zen Community.
David and Melissa both began their formal Zen studies in 1981 with Richard
Clarke, a former student of Philip Kapleau Roshi of the Rochester Zen
Center. Kapleau Roshi was a student of Yasutani Hakuun Roshi of the Sanbo
Kyodan (Three Treasures) lineage, a Soto line which incorporates Rinzai
elements into its teaching style. David has received Inga, or Dharma Transmission, from Zen Master George
Bo Mun Bowman, with whom he began studying in 1991. George is the founder
of Single Flower Sangha, and has received full Dharma Transmission from
the Korean Rinzai Master Seung Sahn Soen-sa, the founder of the Kwan Um
School of Zen. Since 1977 George has been studying with the Japanese Rinzai
master, Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi, the Founder and Abbot of Rinzai-Ji.
Melissa is an ordained Soto Zen Priest, and has received Dharma Transmission
from James Myoun Ford Roshi, the founder of Boundless Way Zen, with whom
she has studied since 2001. James was ordained as a Soto Zen priest by
and received Dharma Transmission from Jiyu Kennett Roshi. Kennett Roshi
was the founder of Shasta Abbey and the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives.
James later studied and received Inka Shomei (full Dharma Transmission)
from John Tarrant Roshi, founder of the Pacific Zen Institute. John is
a Dharma heir of Robert Aitken Roshi, the founder of the Diamond Sangha.
Aitken Roshi is a Dharma heir of Koun Yamada Roshi of the Sanbo Kyodan
lineage. Because of their lineage histories and Zen training, Melissa and David
combine traditional Soto and Rinzai traditions in innovative ways. Both
Melissa and David teach basic Zen practices such as breath awareness,
various mindfulness practices, inquiry into the moment and Shikantaza
or choiceless awareness. Melissa also teaches koan practice in the Sanbo
Kyodan tradition. Both teachers are dedicated to helping every student
find a practice that fits their unique personality and deepest intention
for awakening. |