Founding Teacher
Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a Zen priest, a husband, a father, and a poet: a teacher with wide-ranging interests and passions. He has been leading Zen retreats in Vancouver since 1987. During almost 30 years at San Francisco Zen Center, he served in many positions. Norman retired as the abbot of Zen Center in 2000, and founded of the Everyday Zen Foundation to take his teaching out into the world. Norman believes in the possibility of "engaged renunciation": living a fully committed religious life that does not exclude family, work, and a passionate interest in the world.
Dana for Everyday Zen and our founding teacher can be sent HERE
Guiding Teachers
Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton began Zen practice in 1983 as university students in Japan, with a Rinzai priest at an ancient temple on Mount Tsukuba, later moving to Kyoto and practicing Soto Zen with Shohaku Okumura. Since returning to Vancouver in 1987 they have practiced with Zoketsu Norman Fischer. They received priest ordination from him in 2003 and dharma transmission in 2011. They were installed as guiding teachers of Mountain Rain Zen Community in May, 2017.
Kate has worked as an organic farmer, ESL teacher, translator and as a clinical counselor in women’s health and hospice/bereavement care.
Michael taught Asian studies and religious studies at Simon Fraser University. Both are committed to supporting Mountain Rain as a lay practice community in connection with the wider community, the arts, and the natural world.
The guiding teachers may be contacted at: teachers@mountainrainzen.org
Dana for the guiding teachers can be sent HERE
Teachers
Joko Claire Talbot received lay ordination in 2000. She was shuso for our 2010 practice period, and received lay entrustment from Zoketsu Norman Fischer in 2019. She works as a physician in palliative care and lives in Vancouver. You can contact Joko Claire or send dana here: claire.talbot@mountainrainzen.org
Dai-i Flo Rublee received lay ordination in 1998 and priest ordination in 2010 from Zoketsu Norman Fischer and dharma transmission in 2023. She was shuso for our 2008 practice period. She is a retired physiotherapist and lives in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. You can contact Dai-i Flo or send dana here: flo.rublee@mountainrainzen.org
Jikai Vicki Turay received lay ordination in 2013 from Mountain Rain’s guiding teachers. She was shuso for our 2016 practice period. She received lay entrustment from MRZC guiding teacher in June, 2024. She is a deep ecologist and community activist who lives on Mayne Island with her husband Harold and dog Otis. You can contact Jikai Vicki or send dana here: vicki.turay@mountainrainzen.org
Practice Leaders
Practice leaders are long-time Zen practitioners who have served as shuso (head monk) for one of Mountain Rain’s fall practice periods. Practice leaders give dharma talks, lead classes, and offer practice discussion.
Priests
Nin-en Susan Elbe received lay ordination in 2003 and priest ordination in 2016. She was shuso for our 2009 practice period. She is a retired city planner and lives in Tsawassen. You can contact Nin-en Elbe or send dana here: susan.elbe@mountainrainzen.org
Kakuko Kaye Simard received lay ordination in 2015, and priest ordination in 2019. She was shuso for the 2020 practice period. She is a retired registered nurse with experience in many fields. You can contact Kakuko Kaye or send dana here: kaye.simard@mountainrainzen.org
Daikan John Green: Began formal non-residential lay zen practice in 1997 at Chobo-Ji, a Rinzai temple in Seattle. Ordained in 2015 by Genjo Marinello Osho. In June of 2022 received Soto ordination from Shinmon Michael Newton. May of 2023 became a resident priest of Bright Stream temple.
Lay practice leaders
Jakushin Todd Slobogean received lay ordination in 2013 from Mountain Rain’s guiding teachers. He was shuso for our 2017 practice period. A retired small business entrepreneur, he lives in Vancouver. After serving on council for ten years, his current focus is supporting healthy aging of self and others through study, writing and practical support of people through difficulty and transitions. You can contact Jakushin Todd or send dana here: todd.slobogean@mountainrainzen.org
Our founding teacher and guiding teachers are full members of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association.
