Dazu Kodo Justin Park

Maine  

Dazu began his Zen practice in 2004. In Fall 2009, he met Junpo Denis Kelly Roshi and underwent the Mondo Zen Emotional Koan Process at the Wild Goose Zendo in Red Gables, Massachusetts. Shortly after, Dazu participated in a New Warrior initiation with The Mankind Project.

In May 2012, Dazu received Jukai (Refuge Vows) in Loveland, Colorado, and was ordained as a Priest in 2013, receiving Precept Vows at the Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji Monastery in Livingston Manor, New York. Junpo Roshi served as Dazu’s ordination and teaching master until his passing in 2021.  Since 2021, Dazu has continued to study under Daien George Burch Roshi as his current teaching master.

Dazu holds a BA in Social Work from Gordon College, an MA in Sustainability Education from Prescott College, and a PhD in Adult Learning and Development from Lesley University. His dharma focuses on integrating and sharing the philosophical and developmental lineages he has practiced, including Christian Discipleship, Buddhadharma, Tantra Hatha Yoga, Druidry, Perennial and Integral Philosophy, Ecology and Sustainability, Martial Arts, Men’s and Couple’s Work, Human Learning and Development, Recovery, and Resilience.

With his wife and dharma partner, Koren Katy Park, Dazu co-founded the New Iona Foundation, a ministry of Wild Goose Zendo. Together they have two children, Selah and Jeremiah, and live off-grid on the coast of Maine.  Junpo’s teaching of “kikaonza” …to penetrate, return home, and sit in peace…to take our seat in our lives…continues to awaken Dazu.  A gift worth sharing.