January 29, 2026
Celebrating Our Fall 2025 Shusos

Photo by Shundo David Haye

 

There were three shuso ceremonies at our temples in December 2025. Deep bows to all shusos and much gratitude for your service to the Dharma.

Shuso Ceremony at Tassajara

Congratulations to Dōjin Brent Hass (Dōjin Gisen, Path Compassion/Faith River) whose shuso ceremony on December 16 marked the end of the 114th Ango at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. The Practice Period was led by Abiding Abbot Mako Voelkel.

Dōjin Brent Hass and Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel. Photo by Shundo David Haye

Shuso Ceremony at Green Gulch Farm

Congratulations to Doko Kika Hellein (Path of Light, Returning Home) whose shuso ceremony on December 15 marked the end of the Practice Period at Green Gulch Farm. The Practice Period was led by Abiding Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler.

Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler and Doko Kika Hellein. Photo by Sara Tashker

Shuso Ceremony at City Center

Congratulations to Vanessa Able (Koji Seiden, Cultivate Love/Sincerity Field) on her shuso ceremony at City Center on December 6, 2025. In order to be shuso for the Fall Practice Period, Vanessa moved into City Center with her family from Paris, an experience she and her daughter Cora discuss in this article from Sangha News.

Vanessa Able and Ryushin Paul Haller

 

Features, For Mary Watson

Remembering Mary Watson

I want to invite us to be with Mary's spirit, because she really embodied compassion. When Blanche gave her the precepts, she gave her the name, Eyes of Compassion, Nurturing Teacher, and that's what Mary was.