Kanzeon Zen Center

Kanzeon Zen Center was a significant Zen Buddhist practice and training center located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 1993 by the American Zen teacher Dennis Merzel, also known as Genpo Roshi, it functioned as the international headquarters for his Kanzeon Sangha. The center aimed to provide a comprehensive environment for Zen practice, offering regular zazen (sitting meditation), meditation instruction, classes, retreats, and koan study.

History and Practice

Dennis Merzel founded the Kanzeon International Sangha in 1982, which grew to encompass thousands of members across the United States and several European countries. Following an invitation from the Wasatch Zen Group, Merzel established the Kanzeon Zen Center in Salt Lake City in 1993. The center operated from adjoining properties on East South Temple and included an upstairs meditation hall and an ancestors' room, which housed some of the cremated remains of Merzel's teacher, Taizan Maezumi.

During the 1990s and 2000s, Kanzeon developed into a substantial training hub. Its regular schedule included morning meditation, evening classes, and Sunday practice. The center attracted practitioners from around the world, with some relocating to Utah to study with Merzel. Notable practitioners and teachers associated with Kanzeon included former Utah Supreme Court chief justice Michael David Zimmerman and Diane Musho Hamilton. The center also engaged in interfaith activities within Utah.

Big Mind Process and Closure

In 1999, Merzel developed the Big Mind process, a method integrating Zen teachings with techniques from psychological practices like Voice Dialogue. This process became a prominent and financially significant aspect of his work, reportedly generating millions of dollars through workshops and intensive programs. While operating through a separate nonprofit organization, Big Mind's income financially supported Kanzeon's traditional Zen programs.

In 2011, a leadership and financial crisis emerged, stemming from Merzel's acknowledgment of a sexual relationship with an advanced student. This led to Merzel announcing his disrobing as a Buddhist priest and stepping away from leadership at Kanzeon in Salt Lake City. Disagreements over his continued role and the handling of the situation divided the community. Subsequently, the East South Temple buildings were offered for sale, and the Kanzeon Zen Center effectively disbanded as a local entity during 2011, though the broader Kanzeon Sangha and Merzel's Big Mind organization continued their operations.