In Memory of Roshi Mel Sojun Weitsman

We join today with our Dharma friends at Berkeley Zen Center in mourning the passing of Roshi Mel Sojun Weitsman yesterday January 7th, 2021 at 91 years old.

Sojun Roshi began his practice in 1964 with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and founded Berkeley Zendo in 1967 with the blessing and guidance of Suzuki Roshi. He later received priest ordination in 1969 from Suzuki Roshi and Dharma transmission from Suzuki Roshi's son, Hoitsu Suzuki Roshi, in 1984. He was Co-Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center from 1988 to 1997 and continued as the Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center until last year.

Instrumental in the founding of Zen in the United States, Sojun Roshi gave Dharma Transmission to over twenty individuals, notably Roshi Zenkei Blanche Hartman and Roshi Zoketsu Norman Fischer.

He is survived by his wife Liz Horowitz Weitsman, their son Daniel, along with many disciples and students across the United States and around the world.

In deepest gratitude for his many contributions to the Dharma.