After meeting Suzuki Roshi in 1970, Rinso Ed Sattizahn lived at Tassajara from 1973 to 1977. He then spent five years at City Center, serving as Zen Center’s Vice President and President. From 1983 to 2000, Ed worked in executive roles in the microcomputer software industry, deepening his understanding of how the world functions.
In 2003, he served as Shuso, or Head Student, at Green Gulch Farm and also co-founded Vimala Sangha in Mill Valley with Lew Richmond. Named after Vimalakirti, the renowned householder disciple of the Buddha, Vimala Sangha is devoted to householder Zen in the tradition of Suzuki Roshi.
Ed received Lay Entrustment in 2005, was ordained as a Zen priest in 2010, and received Dharma Transmission in 2012, all from Lew Richmond. He also served on the Zen Center Board for six years, from 2006 to 2011, and as board chair from 2009 to 2011.
In March 2014, Ed became Abiding Abbot at City Center, then stepped into the role of Central Abbot in March 2019, serving until March 2023. He continues to guide Vimala Sangha Mill Valley as its teacher.