Sensei Brian Joshin Byrnes
Joshin is a Zen priest and teacher in the White Plum Lineage and Zen Peacemakers. He is the guiding teacher of Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, which he founded in 2017. His teachings and approach are deeply rooted in social action, emphasizing the needs and challenges faced by economically marginalized communities.
In addition to teaching at Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, Joshin coordinates Gather, a Zen-Peacemaker drop in center/community living room, responding to the epidemic of loneliness in our community. Joshin also leads Street Retreats throughout the year in various cities across the United States. These “plunges” offer participants an opportunity to engage directly with life on the streets, fostering a deeper understanding of the web of life and the connection between spiritual practice and compassionate action.
Dharma Holders
Peg Kendo Murray 
Peg has cultivated a spiritual friendship with Joshin sensei for more than 10 years and he has recognized her as a senior practitioner and Dharma Holder (hoshi) at BLMZC where she has been a resident since 2018. She has studied and practiced in Theravada, Tibetan and Zen traditions and loves sharing perspectives from all three streams of Buddhist practice. She particularly appreciates the practice resources of joy and humor and enjoys infusing a bit of each into just about everything.
Eisho Sinclair
Eisho is an ordained Zen priest, and a senior practitioner and Dharma Holder with Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community. Eisho hails from the UK and brings a wealth of practice wisdom informed by years of Zen training, study, and engaged service. He has worked as a prison chaplain for many years, is a certified Hakomi therapist, and also relishes his roles in relationship as a Partner, Dad and Grandad.
Ric So’on Dunworth
became a formal student of Joshin Sensei in 2018. Upon re-taking Jukai vows with Joshin he gave him the Dharma name “So’on” (Ancestor’s Warmth). Prior to joining BLMZC he practiced for many years at Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. His original Teacher was John Daido Loori, Roshi. He also took Jukai with Daido Roshi in May of 1995 on the day that Maezumi Roshi died in Japan. He was given his first Dharma name of “Ryoha” (Clear Wave) at that time. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and presently works as a psychotherapist for the Behavioral Health Clinic of Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, VT. He received his Social Work training at Denver University in Colorado. So’on is married with a son and soon-to-be two year old grandson.
