Diane Shoshin Fitzgerald

Diane was ordained as a Soto Zen priest in 2013 and received full Dharma transmission in 2017 within a combined lineage that traces back to Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett, the first Western female Soto Zen priest, and the koan-based Sanbo Kyodan Zen Community through Robert Aitken, Roshi.

Community Leadership

In 2012, Diane founded Zen DownEast, the Maine sangha, where she serves as Spiritual Director and Guiding Teacher. As a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, she leads zazen Monday through Friday mornings for her sangha, as well as Tuesday evenings, and offers four annual sesshins. She also teaches a weekly Dogen class, along with two monthly classes on Mahayana Sutras and Eco-Sattva, and regularly offers precepts classes.

Experience

A Maine lawyer, Diane has practiced Zen for more than 30 years.

Residential Support

The teachers would be glad to include residents in the workshop. They would also be happy to remain for a few extra days to offer the same class, or a different one, specifically for Tassajara residents, in whatever format best fits their schedule. This would be offered freely.