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| Alasdair Taisen GF SWZ Northampton convenor |
StoneWater Zen Northampton is convened by Alasdair Taisen Gordon-Finlayson, an Assistant Teacher in the StoneWater Zen community. Alasdair is an ordained monk in the Soto Zen tradition and has been a Zen practitioner for 30 years. Alasdair founded the Northampton group shortly after moving here for work in 2011, and the group has met almost every single week since then.
In October 2022, Alasdair was made a 'Dharma Holder' or 'Hoshi' in the StoneWater tradition by the founder of SWZ, Keizan Scott Roshi. Keizan Roshi said, "I am pleased to announce that I have given the title of Hoshi (Dharma Holder) to Alasdair Taisen, an ordained monk within the Zen Buddhist tradition. This is as an acknowledgement of his many years of training and recognition that his clarity of understanding and his personal qualities of empathy and generosity of spirit qualify him to guide and support folk interested in exploring the Zen Buddhist path to awakening to our true nature."
Alasdair is also a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Northampton, with interests in social and cultural psychology and (predictably!) the psychology of religion and mindfulness & meditation. He volunteers as a Buddhist "Chaplaincy Visitor" at St Andrew's Hospital.
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| Keizan Roshi (l) with Alasdair Taisen Hoshi (r), October 2022 |
StoneWater Teachers
Keizan Scott Roshi
Dave Keizan Scott Roshi is the leader and founder of the StoneWater Zen Sangha. He is an ordained Buddhist priest and lineage holder in the Soto Zen school, having received inka (final dharma transmission) from Tenshin Fletcher Roshi in April 2019. Roshi is based in Liverpool where he teaches and gives dokusan (formal interviews) each week, and leads many sesshin (retreats) around the country.Shinro Doubleday Sensei
Since Tony Shinro Doubleday Sensei has studied with Taizen Maezumi Roshi, Genpo Merzel Roshi, Charles Tenshin Fletcher Roshi and David Keizan Scott Roshi and other senior teachers in Maezumi Roshi’s lineage. He received Jukai (Bodhisattva precepts) from Genpo Roshi in 1987. In 1992 he co-wrote The Elements of Zen with David Keizan Scott Roshi, from whom he received Shukke Tokudo (monk ordination) in 2010, Hoshi (‘Dharma Holder’ certification) in 2016, and Shiho (Dharma Transmission) in 2020. Shinro Sensei has led the StoneWater Zen North London group since 2010.
Suigen Kenworthy Sensei
John Suigen Kenworthy has trained with Keizan Sensei since 2003. He received Jukai in 2005, Shukke Tokudo in 2009 and took Shuso in 2013. John worked for over 30 years as a clinical psychologist in the health service and has more recently worked in a counselling role, supporting foster carers and looked after children.’ He received Hoshi (‘Dharma Holder’ certification) from Keizan Sensei in April 2018, and Shiho (Dharma Transmission) in March 2021.
For a history of Maezumi's lineage in the UK - of which StoneWater is a part - please see Shinro Sensei's post at the StoneWater Zen North London website.
