CHRISTOPHER BURAWA

Genyo began practicing Rinzai Zen under Sokai Geoffrey Barratt at Haku-un-ji Zen Center in 1994 and became a disciple of Japanese Zen Master Kyozan Joshu Sasaki the same year. He was ordained a Zen Buddhist monk in 2005 and given the name, Genyo (Ineffable Source). In 2008, Genyo was given permission by Joshu Roshi to open a Zen center in Clarksville, Tennessee, naming it Genkai-ji (Ineffable Ocean). Genkai-ji Zen Center offered zazen instruction to mostly newcomers (many of them military personnel posted with the 101st Airborne Division that had returned from conflict zones) but closed in 2015 when Genyo moved his family to Minnesota.

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Genyo practices Tathāgata Zen as taught by Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Tathāgata Zen practice is about directly manifesting the Activity of Impermanence in which the practitioner evolves an ever deeper understanding of Absolute Being (where there is no separation of subject and object) and Absolute Nonbeing (into which the self and universe dissolve—i.e., into our original home). Joshu Roshi referred to this activity as the Activity of the Mysterious Heart, which acknowledges the equality of all.

 

Genyo provides zazen instruction to individuals and groups. He also is available to give talks about Zen practice and its positive effects on well-being. In Arizona, Tennessee, and now Minnesota, Genyo has served as a wedding officiant for couples who are seeking a nontraditional path to celebrating their union.