Dennis Merzel
Born	3 June 1944 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	University of Southern California
Occupation	Author
Religion	Zen

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Taizan Maezumi and Merzel

Dennis Merzel is an American Zen and spirituality teacher, also known as Genpo Merzel Roshi.

Biography [edit]

Merzel obtained a Master's degree in educational administration from the University of Southern California and went on to become a school teacher.^{[web 1][news 1]}

Merzel had what he described as an "awakening experience" in 1971.^{[web 2][web 3]} In 1972^{[web 2]} he met the Japanese-born Zen teacher Taizan Maezumi, and started to study with him. ^{[web 1][news 2][news 3]} In 1973 Merzel was ordained as an unsui, or novice priest, in 1973.^[1] In 1980 Merzel became Maezumi's second Dharma heir.^{[1][web 2]} In 1981 Merzel followed the zuise ceremony in Japan.^[1] In 1995 Merzel received the title of Dendo-kyoshi Kenshuso.^{[web 4]} In 1996 Merzel received Inka from Bernie Glassman.^{[1][web 2]}

Merzel is the founder^{[news 4]} and former Abbot of Kanzeon Zen Center, ^{[news 5]} and developed the Big Mind Process, which combines "Eastern, Buddhist insights with Western psychoanalytical ideas." ^{[news 6]} Merzel has organized Big Mind retreats and events nationally and internationally, such as an annual event in the Netherlands that has attracted hundreds of participants.^{[news 6]} A randomized clinical trial of Merzel's Big Mind method demonstrated positive results. ^{[news 7]}

Controversy [edit]

In 1988 Merzel was installed as abbot at Hosshinji, a Zen temple in Bar Harbor, Maine.^{[web 4]} A romantic relationship with a student led to a divorce from his wife, and the closing of Hosshinji.^{[web 4]}

In August 1992, a group of 12 American Zen teachers sent a letter to Taizan Maezumi, expressing dismay about Merzel's sexual relationships with a number of female students, his lack of remorse, and his seeming inability to stop. They asked Maezumi to withdraw Merzel's sanction to teach; he did not do so.^{[web 5]}

In February 2011, after admitting to three extra-marital sexual affairs, including with a senior student, Merzel said he would disrobe as a Buddhist priest, resign as an elder of the White Plum Asanga, step down as Abbot of Kanzeon, and stop teaching for an indefinite period to seek counseling.^{[news 8][news 9][web 6]}

Forty-four American Buddhist teachers then wrote a letter suggesting a course of action for Merzel, including a minimum one-year leave of absence and therapy.^{[letters 1]}

By April, Merzel had reversed his position, saying that too many students and his organizations depended on him financially and spiritually.^{[news 10]}

Sixty-six American Buddhist teachers responded with a forceful public letter to Merzel requesting that he follow through with his stated intention to stop teaching for some time, considering his "habitual abuses of power".^{[letters 2]} Merzel countered that this letter was itself worse than his behavior, and continued to lead retreats.^{[news 10]} He and his wife are divorcing.^{[news 10]}

Heirs [edit]

Dennis Merzel has given Dharma transmission to several students, and authorized others to teach. Several teachers have left Merzel's organization.^{[web 7]}

Dharma successors [edit]

• Catherine Genno Pagès (1992)
• John Shodo Flatt (1994)
• Anton Tenkei Coppens (1996), Zen River, The Netherlands
• Malgosia Jiho Braunek (2003), Kandzeon Sangha, Warsaw, Poland
• Daniel Doen Silberberg (2003) 
• Nico Sojun Tydeman (2004)
• Nancy Genshin Gabrysch (2006)
• Diane Musho Hamilton (2006), Boulder Mountain Zendo
• Michael Mugaku Zimmerman (2006), Boulder Mountain Zendo
• Rich Taido Christofferson (2007)
• Michel Genko Dubois (2007), L'Association Dana, France
• Tamara Myoho Gabrysch (2008) 
• Maurice Shonen Knegtel (2009) 
• KC Kyozen Sato (2009)
• Judi Kanchi Warren (2010) 

Inka Transmission conferring the title of Zen Master on nine Zen teachers:

• John Daido Loori
• Catherine Genno Pages
• Anton Tenkei Coppens
• Jan Chozen Bays
• Charles Tenshin Fletcher
• Nicolee Jikyo McMahon
• Susan Myoyu Anderson
• Sydney Musai Walters
• Malgosia Jiho Braunek

Publications [edit]

• The Eye Never Sleeps: Striking to the Heart of Zen (1991, Shambhala Publications)
• Beyond Sanity and Madness the Way of Zen Master Dogen (1994, Tuttle Publishing)
• 24/7 Dharma: Impermanence, No-Self, Nirvana (2001, Journey Editions)
• The Path of the Human Being: Zen Teachings on the Bodhisattva Way (2005, Shambhala Publications)
• Big Mind, Big Heart: Finding Your Way (2007, Big Mind Publishing)^{[news 11]}

See also [edit]

• Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States

References [edit]

Book references [edit]

Web references [edit]

Newspapers and magazines references [edit]

Letters from Zen teachers [edit]

Sources [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dennis Genpo Merzel

• Big Mind Organisation
• Sweeping Zen, Genpo Merzel Collection