Zen Teacher Myobun

Myōbun grew up with a deep respect for the life of the mind – and its capacity for curiosity, authenticity and the search for meaning. At a same time, a yearning for deep mystery has also always called her. Early on the work of philosopher and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl captivated her; her parents were themselves refugees from Nazi Germany. Frankl wrote: “We need to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who are being questioned by life.” 

myobun@me.com

Sanzen
Fridays (During Sanzen) 6:00am - 6:40am

Practice Discussion
Mondays (Click here to sign up)

Kogen Howard Houseknetch is a master builder and carpenter. It is from his skill and dedication that we are able to enjoy many of the beautiful buildings, garden grounds, and other structures here at Buddha Eye Temple. Kogen is also a skilled wood carver and artist, and has has exhibited his sculptures and drawings throughout the Eugene area. Kogen became a student of Ejo McMullen well over a decade ago, and he completed his Koji training here at Buddha Eye Temple in November of 2020. He is a deep lover of trees and of all things that grow.”

Practice Discussion
Please contact Kogen Directly for Practice Discussion at krummholzpine@gmail.com

Jun-e (Carmelita) Thomson has formally practiced Zen Buddhism since 1986. Her interest in Buddhism and particularly, Zen began in her late twenties. During the years of raising four children and pursuing an advanced degree she read widely and maintained a continuing interest in Zen Buddhism. She began formal practice in 1986 with a Soto Zen sitting group led by a Priest from San Francisco Zen Center. In 1995 she became involved with The Eugene Zendo which was connected with Dharma Rain in Portland. Ejo McMullen joined that group in the late 1990s as head Teacher. We moved to our present location and eventually became Buddha Eye Temple. She along with others from The Eugene Zendo were involved in establishing the present temple; both the physical space and program development. She served on the Board of Directors for several years. In the last ten years she has worked in programming and leadership. She took Jukai in 2005 and formally ordained in Zaike Tukudo in 2009. In 2019 she was ordained as a Sangha Elder of Buddha Eye and currently serves in various leadership roles at Buddha Eye. In her professional life she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been in private practice for many years.

Practice Discussion
For Practice Discussion, please contact Jun-e directly at carmelitajune@gmail.com

Issei Robin Weil began her Zen practice at Buddha Eye Temple in 2002, just shortly after its opening to the public as the “Eugene Zendo.” Issei took Precepts with Ejo McMullen in 2005 and then took Zaikei Tokudo in 2008, becoming one of Ejo’s early formal students. Issei has been deeply committed to humanitarian efforts around the world. She has worked with NGOs including the American Refugee Committee in Rwanda in 2009-2010, coordinating refugees to build small scale vegetable gardens and fuel efficient stoves.. From 2011 - 2015, she worked with the Center for Renewable Energy and Technology for the Environment in Senegal, at their Eugene, Oregon office.  From 2006 - 2008 Issei served on the Board of Directors at Buddha Eye Temple, acting as its Treasurer. Since then she has continued to steward the temple’s financial security, and in 2017 became a member of the temple’s Sustainability Team.

In recognition of her years of service, diligent practice, and the deep insight of her experience, Issei was named Sangha Elder in 2023. 

Practice Discussion
Practice Discussions will be available soon.

Tenkan Hugh O’Haire has been a long time Zen practitioner and a key figure at our temple. A former student of John Daido Loori Daiosho at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York. Tenkan has been a member of many Zen communities in the United States, including Great Vow Zen Monastery, where he literally “bumped foreheads” with Ejo McMullen in mid bow! Soon after that time Tenkan became one of Ejo’s formal students and has been a leader in Buddha Eye Temple’s community. Tenkan has been a strong advocate for addiction recovery, and a leader in our local Refuge Recovery community. His direct work with those struggling with addiction stems from the sincere offering of his personal experience. He currently lives in Eugene, Oregon with his wife Evelyn, an avid baker whose treats are a much beloved fixture at our Holiday Art & Craft sale.

For his dedication and the on-going inquiry of his practice, Tenkan was named Sangha Elder in 2023.

Anyu found Buddhism – or perhaps more correctly – Buddhism found her, in January 1995 not long after a divorce when she reluctantly agreed to attend one day of a weekend meditation retreat at the old Larch Mountain Zen Center (now Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon). She was, as she likes to say, hooked from the very beginning, as though she were a fish waiting to be caught. Anyu formally committed herself to the Buddha Way in 2001 when she received the precepts from Chozen Bays, Roshi. She formally ordained with Ejo McMullen in Zaike Tokudo in 2010 and is currently in training as “koji” (lay dharma leader). Professionally, Anyu made a major career change when she returned to school in 2010 for her Master of Divinity degree as part of her training to become an interfaith chaplain. She has worked as a chaplain at PeaceHealth since 2014.

Practice Discussion
For Practice Discussion please contact Anyu directly at: debraanyu@gmail.com

Practice Discussion
Practice Discussion will be available soon

Practice Discussion
Practice discussion will be available soon.