Clear and Open Zen Lineage

Our School

The Clear and Open Zen school has been created to bring together the traditions and teachings of the Clear Mind and Open Mind Zen Schools. These schools transmit the lineages of Matusoka Roshi and Maezumi Roshi respectively. Encompassing a broad range of both traditional and new approaches to the Zen path, the Clear and Open Zen School looks to make awakening accessible to students living modern householder lives.

White Plum Lineage

Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi, Roshi (1931-1995) established the White Plum Asanga in the late 1970s, opening up a unique tradition of Buddhist practice to a worldwide movement.
Maezumi Roshi received Dharma transmission from Baian Hakujun in the Soto lineage. He also received Inka in both the Shakyamuni Kai, through Koryu Roshi, and in the San Bo Kyo Dan (Three Treasures school) through Yasutani Roshi.

Open Mind Zen

The Open Mind Zen School was created in the White Plum Lineage by Al Fusho Rapaport, Roshi. Al has practiced and taught Zen for almost 50 years. He studied with Kozan Roshi, Maezumi Roshi, and Genpo Roshi until receiving Dharma Transmission from Shuzen Roshi in 2008. As President of Open Mind Productions, Al produced the first Yoga Journal Conferences as well as the Buddhism in America Conferences from 1996 until 2001. He is author of Open Mind Zen: A Guide to Meditation, and currently serves as  Director of Open Mind Zen International and MBSR Florida in Melbourne, Florida. Roshi is a member of the White Plum Asangha, the American Zen Teachers Association and Secretary/Treasurer of the Lay Zen Teachers Association.

Matsuoka Roshi Lineage

Sōyū Matsuoka was a Japanese Soto Zen priest who brought our lineage from Japan to America.  Shortly before World War II Matsuoka came to the US, to serve Japanese immigrants. He came to be the assistant to the abbot of Zenshuji Temple in Los Angeles, and was later the supervisor at Sokoji Soto Zen Mission (Temple) in San Francisco. Matsuoka established the Chicago Buddhist Temple in 1949 (now the Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago). In the 1960s he gathered a following of Americans.  In 1970 Matsuoka left Chicago and moved to Long Beach, California, where he continued to preside over other communities.  He eventually left to formal Soto organization based in Japan and henceforth transmitted an independent branch of Zen.  Some key Dharma Heirs of Matsuoka Roshi were Hogaku Shozen McGuire, Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston and  Kaiten Johndennis Govert.  He passed away in 1997.

Clear Mind Zen

Clear Mind is a Zen School in the lineage Matusoka Roshi created by Daiho Hilbert Roshi. Daiho Hilbert Roshi received dharma transmission from Shozen McGuire Roshi who in turn received it from Matusoka Roshi. The Clear Mind Zen School focuses on engaged Buddhism where direct service is prioritized. Our direct ancestor in this lineage is John Shoji Sorensen Roshi who is a dharma heir of Daiho Hilbert Roshi. Shoji Sorensen Roshi is scientist and martial art expert who was an early pioneer in training Zen students over the Internet.

Lineage Charts

Lineage Shared Between Clear and Open Mind Zen

Common Legendary Buddhas

Vipassī Buddha
Sikhī Buddha
Vessabhū Buddha
Kakusandha Buddha
Koṇāgamana Buddha
Kassapa Buddha
Śākyamuni Buddha

Common Indian Patriarchs

Mahākāśyapa
Ānanda
Śaṇavāsa
Upagupta
Dṛtaka
Micchaka
Vasumitra
Buddhanandi
Buddhamitra
Pārśva
Puṇyayaśas
Aśvaghoṣa
Kapimala
Nāgārjuna
Kānadeva (Āryadeva)
Rāhulata
Sanghanandi
Gayāśata
Kumārata
Jayata
Vasubandhu
Manorhita
Haklenayaśas
Simha Bhikshu (Āryasimha)
Basiasita
Punyamitra
Prajñātāra
Bodhidharma

Common Chinese Ancestors

Dazu Huike
Jianzhi Sengcan
Dayi Daoxin
Daman Hongren
Dajian Huineng
Qingyuan Xingsi
Shitou Xiqian
Yaoshan Weiyan
Yunyan Tansheng
Dongshan Liangjie
Yunju Daoying
Tongan Daopi
Tongan Guanzhi
Liangshan Yuanguan
Dayang Jingxuan
Touzi Yiqing
Furong Daokai
Danxia Zichun
Changlu Qingliao
Tiantong Zongjue
Xuedou Zhijian
Tiantong Rujing

Common Japanese Ancestors

Eihei Dōgen
Koun Ejō
Tettsū Gikai
Keizan Jōkin
Gasan Jōseki

Divergent Lineage Charts

Matsuoka Lineage

Tsūgen Jakurei
Sekioku Sinryō
Chikkyo Shoyū
Zaisan Don’ei
Kishi Iban
Daian Shueki
Ishū Chūshin
Shunmei Shitō
Unan Toryū
Ryūshitsu Chikyū
Yōshitsu Zuijaku
Kaiō Genkyo
Ryūun Eishū
Daishitsu Chōyū
Kan’oku Shuntoku
Ryūzan Shūdon
Chikurin Eikai
Chikuō Shōrin
Renbaku Shōhen
Tetsugin Shuyō
Ryōchō Shōtatsu
Tanzan Kyōhō
Chikuyhō Shuzan
Kidō Gikan
Honkō Jissen
Chōgai Kenshū
Shōshū Gendō
Ryōzan Entō
Ittō Kankoku
Gentei Kanryū
Nannō Suiō
Bukkai Sentoyu
Zengaku Sōyū (Matsuoka Rōshi)
Hogaku Shozen McGuire
Daiho Hilbert
Shoji Sorensen

Maezumi Lineage

Taigen Soshin
Baizan Monpon
Nyochu Tengin
Kisan Shosan
Morin Shihan
Shoshi Sotai
Kenchu Hantetsu
Daiju Soko
Kinpo Jusen
Kajin Sochin
Tetsuei Seiton
Shukoku Choton
Ketsuzan Tetsuei
Hoshi Soon
Goho Kainon
Tenkei Denson
Shozan Monko
Niken Sekiryo
Reitan Roryu
Kakujo Tosai
Kakuan Ryogu
Ryoka Daibai
Ungan Guhaku
Baian Hakujun
Taizan Maezumi
Tetsugen Glassman
Enkyo O’Hara
Shuzen Harris
Fusho Rapaport