The Lineage of Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi
Direct transmission of the lineage is an essential feature of Rinzai Zen. As part of my Inka Ceremony, I stepped into a tradition that traces 85 generations back to Shakyamuni Buddha. My teacher, Fugen Tom Pitner Roshi, received Inka from Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi. Having met Jun Po in 2012, I consider him my root teacher. This blog looks at the lineage Jun Po Roshi established moving forward. Jun Po Roshi certified eleven Roshis and ordained 52 priests. Not all of these clergy continue to serve in an active manner. I’ve done my best to sort this out and offer an overview of Jun Po’s dharma offspring.
Roshis:
Jun Po Roshi, Dai En Hifu George Burch Roshi, Doshin Roshi and Fudo Myoo Roshi
Taiso Hannya Byran Barto Roshi received dharma transmission in 2011 from Jun Po Roshi. He currently presides as the Abbot of Hollow Bones Zen.
Rev. Dai En Hi Fu George Burch received Inka in 2009. He served as the Vice-Abbot of Hollow Bones Zen for many years. He founded and continues to operate the Wild Goose Zendo.
Meru Doug Szper Roshi received Inka from Jun Po around 2009. He opened the Still Point Center in Wisconsin with his wife Khyati Penny Johns, an ordained priest. Still Point Center is not offering programs at this time.
Vicara Staya Marry Connelly Roshi received Inka from her husband Jun Po Roshi in 2025. She actively serves at Hollow Bones Zen and Zen River Sangha.
Hui Neng Stan Koehler Roshi received Inka In 2016. He operates Peace on The Streets in NYC.
Fugen Hannya Tom Pitner receive Inka from Jun Po Roshi in 2019. He is the director at Dragon Heart Dharma.
Lloyd Fickett Foshi was certified in 2018 as part of the same sesshin as my priest ordination. He teaches with Taiso Roshi at Hollow Bones Zen.
Fudo Myoo Teja Bell Roshi was originally certified by Doshin Roshi. Jun Po recognized Teja as part of the Hollow Bones Lineage in 2021. Fudo Myoo operates Qigong Dharma.
Sanchi Reta Lawler is the director of Morningstar Zen Center in Boulder, CO. Eido Shimano is her root teacher. She was fully recognized by Jun Po Roshi.
Doshin Daigu M.J. Nelson received Inka in 2011. He founded integral Zen and continues to teach actively.
Vimala Muni John Nemick Roshi was recognized as a Roshi in 2013. He founded the Green Bay Zen Center. Vimala Roshi passed away in 2021.
Priests:
Jun Po ordained many priests over his nearly 20-year career. Currently, there appear to be about 25 active priests, though not all are easy to locate. Two clergy members have passed away. I have identified approximately 25 priests who are either no longer active or no longer identify as priests. Where they have landed is the subject of another blog.
In Memory Of:
Daju Huehai Suzanne Friedman was a beloved clergy member of Hollow Bones Zen. She was a noted author of several books including The Jun Po Roku. Daju passed away in 2014.
Manju Usra Bill Frankelton was an early student of Jun Po Roshi, an active leader in Zen River Sangha. He was ordained in 2003. Manju passed away in 2022.
Jun Po Roshi, Bodhi, Fudo Myoo, Engo, Choan and Reishin - Ordination 2013
Active Priests:
Bodhi Dharma William Prince was ordained in 2013. He actively practices with Fudo Myoo Teja Bell in California as part of Qigong Dharma.
Daiden Eno Dan Pecaut was ordained in 2014. He is the director or Siouxland Zen in Iowa.
Dazu Kodo Justin Park was ordained in 2013. He lives with his wife Koren Dojin Kathryn Park who was ordained in 2015. They cofounded the New Iona Foundation in Maine in conjunction with Wild Goose Zendo.
Doyo Ken Morrison continues to serve in his role as a priest in Wisconsin.
I was ordained in 2018 at Dai Bosatsu Monastery.
Emyo Seien Darlene Tataryn was ordained in 2014 in a ceremony with Daiden. She runs One Wisdom Zen in Selkirk, Manitoba.
Engo Dohi Michael Jackson was ordained in a ceremony at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in 2013 with Bodhi and Choan. He continues to serve as a senior priest at Hollow Bones Zen and Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society.
Fushin Reimyo Eva Hermongenes was ordained in 2014. She resides in Spain.
Guruma Amala Donna Elser and her husband Kodo Aishi Mike Elser were both ordained by Jun Po Roshi. I believe they continue to serve as priests.
Kensho Len Silverston was ordained in 2011. He runs Zen with Len in Colorado.
Kevala Jnana Deb Hoffman was ordained in 2010. She is a senior priest at Zen River Sangha.
Kogen Ananda Keith Martin-Smith was ordained in 2012. He continues to teach in Boulder, Colorado.
Koto Washi Dallas Chief Eagle was ordained by Jun Po. He runs All Nation’s Gathering Center in Kyle, South Dakota. He serves on the board at Shining Bright Lotus.
Ma Dhyana Prajna Kathleen Kelly, Jun Po’s sister, was ordained in 2005. She teachers through her yoga studio in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Bay Area Yoga.
Myoshin Seido Stefan Schoch was ordained by Doshin Roshi in 2016, Jun Po Roshi recognized him in 2022. He lives and teaches in Germany.
Reishin Dai Nei Denise Leong was ordained in 2010. She currently serves as the leader of Hollow Bones Zen programs.
Seiron Bussho Martin Boroson was ordained in 2019. He is widely recognized as a coach and author for his book, One Moment Meditation.
Shunya Prajna Lynn Hyer was ordained in 2015. She is the director of Green Bay Zen Center.
Simha Kuti Frederick Marx was ordained in 2019. He recently established a sangha in Grass Valley California. He has authored several books on Zen, including Turds of Wisdom and Confessions of a Sacred Fool.
Umi no Nami Dan Rotnem was ordained in 2019. He founded his own sangha Open Door Zen in Ohio.
Zuikan Scott Rebellon was ordained in 2019. After living at Daibosatsu Monastery for a year, he left to settle nearby in New York.
Inactive priests:
Ordination of Sosan Marcus Karlstad - Photo Courtesy of Darrin Frisby@ www.darrinfrisby.com
The following individuals were ordained by Jun Po Roshi. I do not have complete information about their current status. Jun Po often said that becoming a priest is a one-way commitment, and formal renunciation is required to leave the clergy. Since my information is incomplete, I list these individuals as inactive clergy within the Hollow Bones Zen lineage:
Anjo Shishin Lissy Williams, Amrita Tara Sandra Foulk, Bukkai Haku Ted Hall, Bunan Daiko Michael Brown, Choan Hoki Tim Cook, Da Ji Miao Bei Corina Peterson, Dai Ki Inzan Tess Martin, Daikan Hannya Todd Isom, Dokan Eika Sean Hearn, Eisho Shi Jun Lailah Shima, Gangyo Dairen Larry Gagler, Hokyo Yoi Inu Joshua Rothier, John Rinsho Shealy, Kai Jin Hannya Emily Klein, Kisen Sido Lynne Bosche, Kugai Hoto Kristian Merckoll, Liaoran Bo Re Spencer Grey Kindred, Onryu Ingrid Bamberg, Ryosen Seikan Roberta Anderson , Soham Clink Van Egreen, Sosan Junho Marcus Karlstad, Tenshin Kaishin Charles Crutchfield, Tozan Hannya John Verin, Yoshin Eka Dave Klaus, Yudo Gaku Robert Yorga, and Zenrin Jo Tai Jeff Goodman.
I will say that if this information is untrue or any of these folks would like to contact me, I would be happy to update their status.
Closing Blessing
Throughout the ten directions and the three times,
All matriarchs and patriarchs,
All awakened ones, venerable ones, compassionate ones, great ones—
Rely upon this incomparable transcendent wisdom.