About Us
Great Tree Zen Women’s Temple opened it’s doors on Labor Day Weekend, 2005. Inspired by Rev Teijo Munnich’s vision of establishing a residential practice center for women, the Temple seeks to support and encourage all who seek spiritual awareness.
Guided by the teachings of Dogen Zenji in the Soto Zen tradition, Great Tree Temple offers meditation, sesshins (meditation retreats), Dharma teachings, lectures, family and youth programs & Introductory sessions.
Residencies are for women only, all other practice is open to individuals of all genders. The spirit of the Temple is to create an inclusive environment where people can deepen their understanding of themselves and their connection to the world around them.
What is Soto Zen?
Soto Zen is a meditation practice which began in China in the 9th Century and was introduced in Japan by Eihei Dogen Zenji in the 13th Century, and to the United States in the 19th Century Soto Zen practice is "Shikantaza meditation". Shikantaza, means “just sit" - to resist the compulsion to do, and to be with life in each moment. All are welcome to participate in weekly meditation, sesshin & other events at Great Tree Temple regardless of previous experience. There are no prerequisites, just sit down and shut up.
Teachers Zen Lineage
Rev. Teijo Munnich
Daiju Teijo means “Great Tree Right Stillness.” (Daiju is “Way Name,” Teijo is “Dharma Name”) Rev Teijo is a disciple and dharma heir of Rev Dainin Katagiri. She studied with him from 1975 until his death in 1990, receiving formal training at Hokyoji (Catching the Moon Zen Mountain Center) in Minnesota, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California and Hosshinji Sodo in Obama, Japan. Rev. Munnich was ordained as a Zen priest in 1981. In 1983, she began to envision a practice center and community, and at its heart a residential practice for women. This came to be Great Tree Zen Women’s Temple, incorporated in 2004. After an lengthy search, a location was found with suitable space, and Great Tree opened her doors in 2005 in Alexander, NC.
Rev. Chimyo Atkinson
Ryuju Chimyo means “Tree of Prosperity Clear Wisdom.” Rev Chimyo was ordained by Rev. Teijo Munnich in 2007 and received Dharma Transmission in 2015. She received monastic training at Great Tree Temple and completed two Sotoshu International training periods (angos) in Japan in 2010 and 2011, two additional angos at Aichi Senmon Nisodo in Nagoya in 2012 and one ango at Ryumonji Monastery in Iowa in 2014. Chimyo served as Head of Practice at Great Tree Zen Women’s Temple and volunteered with the sangha at Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institute until 2020.
Rev. Dainin Katagiri
Jikai Dainin means “Compassionate Ocean Great Patience.” Katagiri Roshi was born in Osaka, Japan and ordained at age 18. A disciple of Daicho Hayashi Roshi, he trained at Eiheiji Monastery for three years under the guidance of Eko Hashimoto-Roshi and graduated from Komazawa University. In 1963, he arrived in America first serving as an assistant to the abbot of Zenshuji Soto Zen Mission in Los Angeles and later moving to Sokoji Zen Mission and San Francisco Zen Center, where he assisted the late Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi. In 1972, Katagiri Roshi was invited to become abbot of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, Ganshoji (Cultivating the Clouds Temple) in Minneapolis and in 1978 he founded Hokyoji Monastery, (Catching the Moon Zen Mountain Center) in southeastern Minnesota. He taught at both of these temples , until his death in 1990.
Rev. Daicho Hayashi
Kaigai Daicho means "Beyond the Ocean, Great Tides." Hayashi Roshi was born into a wealthy and influential family, but his early life was marked by a turbulent family dynamic. When he was young, an incident with this stepmother led him to skip school and go to a Zen temple and ask to be a monk. Yozan Genki Hayashi Roshi, the temple's master, agreed to take him in but told him he had to seek permission from Roshi's father due to his young age. His father, upon learning that Hayashi Roshi had lied about going to school, disowned him, and they never saw each other again. Daicho Roshi became a famous teacher, and traveled all over Japan to teach Buddhism, but he was very unlucky with disciples. Of his ten original disciples, some left, some died, and one became mentally ill. When Katagiri arrived in 1946, Daicho Roshi was happy to accept him, and Katagiri would become his only remaining disciple. Hayashi Roshi passed away in the mid-1970s, yet his legacy continues to be felt through his teachings and the lives he touched, including those influenced by Dainin Katagiri Roshi.
828.645.2085
679 Lower Flat Creek Alexander, NC 28701