May 22, 2026
Update on SFZC Abbatial Structure – Spring 2026

 

San Francisco Zen Center is pleased to announce an update to our Abbatial structure and bylaws. This change clarifies the roles of our abbots and formalizes a leadership structure that has already been functioning provisionally for years.

Since 2010, SFZC’s abbacy structure has included a Central Abbot and an Abiding Abbot at City Center and Green Gulch Farm. The Central Abbot serves primarily in an organization-wide capacity, while the Abiding Abbots focus primarily at their respective local temples. Tassajara has not previously had a designated abiding abbot and has been generally overseen by the Central Abbot, who does not reside there.

In 2023, Doshin Mako Voelkel and Jiryu Rutchman-Byler were inducted as abbots of City Center and Green Gulch Farm, respectively, while Tenzen David Zimmerman transitioned from City Center Abbot to the role of Central Abbot.

However, in recent years, Abbot Mako has spent much of the year residing at Tassajara to provide greater leadership presence there. During this period, Abbot David has served as both Central Abbot and Acting Abbot of City Center, and Abbot Jiryu has continued to serve as Abiding Abbot of Green Gulch Farm.

In consultation with the SFZC Elders Council and Senior Dharma Teachers (ie, former abbots), the abbots have proposed, and the Board and Elders have agreed, that Abbot Mako formally assume the role of Residing Abbot of Tassajara, recognizing the role she’s already been serving in practice.

At the same time, Abbot David will formally resume the role of Abiding Abbot of City Center (which he previously held from 2019 to 2023) while continuing to serve as Central Abbot. Abbot Jiryu’s role as Abiding Abbot at Green Gulch Farm will remain unchanged.

This arrangement of abbatial roles and responsibilities will continue indefinitely, or until another configuration is determined. Leslie James, who has served as Abiding Teacher at Tassajara since 2010, will step down from that role but remain Senior Teacher at Tassajara.

In April, the SFZC Board of Directors approved both this updated abbatial structure and the extensions of the current abbots’ terms per the bylaws: Abbots David and Jiryu will extend their respective terms for another three years, while Abbot Mako will extend her term up to three years.

As co-abbots, David, Mako, and Jiryu are deeply honored to hold their respective roles and responsibilities on behalf of the Buddha-Dharma and San Francisco Zen Center, and look forward to continuing their practice and service for the benefit of all beings.

Note: Currently, SFZC uses “Abbot” as the standard gender-neutral term.