The Open Source

Desert Rain Zen is part of the Open Source network of sanghas founded by Joan Sutherland Roshi. The Open Source network includes Awakened Life in Santa Fe, Springs Mountain Sangha in Colorado Springs, Wet Mountain Sangha in Pueblo Colorado, Crimson Gate in Oakland, and Tucson's Desert Rain. Here's a link to a new Open Source resource website developed by Megan Rundel Sensei of Crimson Gate

Together with the Pacific Zen Institute, directed by John Tarrant Roshi, the Open Source is part of the Pacific Zen School, an innovative koan school focusing on both individual and group koan practice, with a particular appreciation for the longstanding relationship between Zen and the arts. The Open Source also highlights the crucial role of women in the koan tradition and in Zen.

Before becoming an independent entity (co-founded by John and Joan), Pacific Zen Institute (then known as the California Diamond Sangha) was part of the Diamond Sangha founded by Robert Aitken Roshi. The Diamond Sangha, in turn, emerged from the Japanese Sanbo Kyodan lineage. Here's a page of "lineage charts" for Sanbo Kyodan, including Desert Rain Zen and other Open Source teachers.

You can go to our "other groups" page to find more Open Source websites as well as links to other dharma groups.

photo: Tenney Nathanson
this page last modified July 23, 2015