Lineage Teacher

Hakuryu Sojun Mel Weitsman

(July 20, 1929  - Jan.7, 2021)

Hakuryu Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi was born in Los Angeles in 1929. Sojun Roshi’s broad life experience included years of art study and abstract expressionist painting, work as a house painter, boat painter, cab driver, and music instructor. He began practicing with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 1964, and was ordained by him 1969. He founded Berkeley Zen Center, at the request of Suzuki Roshi in 1967, and was abbot at BZC until his death in 2021. He was also co-abbot of San Francisco Zen Center from 1988 – 1997.

Sojun Roshi, was an elder in Soto Zen in North America community, and was intimately involved in establishing it, and supporting it to grow and flourish. His dharma was quiet, strong, clear and deep, and it continues to nourish many who follow in his footsteps.

Hakuryu Sojun Roshi — White Dragon/Essence of Purity —peacefully passed from this world on January 7, 2021. He continues to live in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

In Without Words: Sojun Mel Weitsman Teachings Remembered Attending to the Way, Attending to my teacher

“While I was his anja at Tassajara, every day, every day, being with steady, quiet, deep practice realization. Putting words to that is not possible, being transformed by it is. Sojun’s way is subtle, so subtle some people miss it entirely. And so it goes. No flash; just the deepest layer of the ocean, benthic, silent, not bound, and not different from just ordinary, really ordinary. Each day I made tea, washed white zories, scrubbed stones, cleaned … listening, moving, attending to my teacher and to the Way. I did not know what this way was until then. [And now … ] Kanno Doko responsive communion, teacher - student, endlessly. And so it continues. I carry on what I have been given and endeavor to embody it with simplicity and courage, as best I can. I put on my robes, sit zazen, do service, teach, work, serve, do ceremonies, and am human with my students and others. I live in this world.”

— Daijaku Kinst

Selected Writings

Seeing One Thing Through: The Zen Life and Teachings of Sojun Mel Weitsman (2023) Counterpoint Press. Read an excerpt from this book here.

Listen to Sojun Roshi's dharma talks at the Berkley Zen Center here.