Affiliate Groups in the Mountains and Rivers Order give practitioners who live near one another an opportunity to come together for zazen as well as for periodic retreats and intensives with visiting MRO teachers and senior students. Sitting with an affiliate group offers an excellent introduction to Zen practice and provides a supportive environment in which to develop one’s zazen and connect with the MRO sangha, dharma holders and teachers.
Spiritual direction and leadership for these affiliate groups is provided by Shugen Arnold, Roshi. In addition, teachers Hojin Kimmel and Hogen Green work actively with the affiliates on an ongoing basis to ensure that the training and practice within these groups is fresh, alive, and in accord with the teachings of the MRO.
Affiliate groups offer beginning instruction in zazen. Please contact the group directly for information on the schedule and meeting location.
The following groups offer regular opportunities for zazen but are not formally affiliated with the MRO.
Rotorua, New Zealand — Geoff Gensei Moore, MRO 021 23 846 18 wrotelearning@gmail.com
Augusta, ME —Christopher Shosen York, MRO (207) 622-9433 christopheryork8@gmail.com
Wayne, PA — Joe Kenshu Mieloch, MRO (610) 933-0594 josephmieloch@gmail.com
Springfield, VT — Bettina Krampetz (802) 464-2006 normpetz@sover.net
Whitesburg, GA — Sybil Seisui Thomas (770) 834-9615 syllabil@aol.com
Harvard, MA — Linda Shinji Hoffman, MRO (978) 660-0363 studio@lindahoffman.com
Victoria, BC — Ted Mousseau, MRO (250) 634-3572 mugezen@hotmail.com
Rutland, VT — Jennifer Seiren Sanford, MRO (802) 353-5585 zenjensan@gmail.com
Albany, NY — Bryan Jackson (518) 937-1758 bryanbjackson@proton.me
Johnson City, TN — Polly Kiho Horne, MRO (332) 225-7200 blueplumhum@gmail.com
Prison Affiliates
—The National Buddhist Prison Sangha corresponds with incarcerated practitioners across the country. NBPS also leads programs, or has done so, at the following New York State prisons: Green Haven Correctional Facility, Great Meadow Correctional Facility,Woodbourne CorrectionalFacility, Shawangunk Correctional Facility, Wende Correctional Facility. Visit the NBPS web page to learn more.
