Koyo Welch Roshi

Koyo Welch Roshi is Baker Roshi’s Dharma heir and the Abbot of Crestone Mountain Zen Center.

Koyo Roshi developed an interest in Zen Buddhism while in high school in Stockton, California in 1960. After a year of residential apprentice training at the Koko-an Zendo in Hawaii, he was accepted to practice as a layman at Ryutaku-ji in Japan under Soen Nakagawa-roshi from 1962 to 1964. From 1967 to 1972 he helped to open and develop Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

In 1970 he received the Bodhisattva Vows and Precepts (priest ordination) from Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. In 2012 he assumed the responsibilities of Abbot at Crestone Mountain Zen Center.

In addition, Koyo Roshi is a professional chef and has developed CMZC’s excellent vegetarian cuisine.

Teachings in 2013