Photo by Thomas Radlwimmer
Our Teacher
Edward Espe Brown found his way to Zen practice in 1965, and dove in whole-heartedly. He was the first head cook, or tenzo, at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and in 1970 his best-selling book, The Tassajara Bread Book, was published. His teacher, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, ordained him as a priest in 1971, giving him the dharma name Jusan Kainei (“Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea”). In the years since, Edward helped found Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, worked with Deborah Madison in writing The Greens Cookbook, and has written several other cookbooks, including The Complete Tassajara Cookbook, and Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings. He edited Not Always So, a collection of Suzuki Roshi’s lectures, and in 2007, he was the subject of a critically acclaimed feature-length documentary film entitled How to Cook Your Life, directed by Doris Dörrie.
In 2018, No Recipe: Cooking as a Spiritual Practice, Edward’s book about finding our own way in the kitchen – and in life – was published. One of Edward’s students, Danny Parker, put together a book of his lectures, selected from 30 years’ worth of teaching; The Most Important Point was published in 2019.
In addition to studying Zen, Edward has also done extensive vipassana practice, yoga, and chi gung. He leads regular sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and offers workshops in the U.S. and internationally on a variety of subjects, including cooking, handwriting change, and Mindfulness Touch.
Our Sangha
The Peaceful Sea Sangha is the community of Edward’s students and others interested in his teachings. Supporters can be found across the United States and around the world. The Peaceful Sea Sangha is an officially registered California Religious Organization. This means that while it is not a 501(c)(3) organization, donations to the Peaceful Sea Sangha are considered tax deductible (please consult your tax adviser for applicability in your location). Donations may be made on-line (through PayPal) or by mail to Peaceful Sea Sangha, 75 Sequoia Road, Fairfax, CA 94930. Official thank you letters are sent out in January of each year. Thank you very much for your support!
Photos by Margot Koch, Marjorie Walter
Our Temple
Yōshin-ji (Nourish Heart Zen Temple) is our non-residential temple located in Fairfax, California. Although Edward’s students live around the world, this is the Sangha’s home base. Dedicated on January 1, 2014, Yōshin-ji (in non-pandemic times) hosts regular sittings and cooking classes in a light-filled space, with original artwork by Margot Koch on the walls. A separate space is available for yoga and other gatherings. The surrounding garden provides a lovely outdoor area for tea, chi gong, lively conversation or quiet contemplation.
Photo by Thomas Radlwimmer
Our Teacher
Edward Espe Brown found his way to Zen practice in 1965, and dove in whole-heartedly. He was the first head cook, or tenzo, at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and in 1970 his best-selling book, The Tassajara Bread Book, was published. His teacher, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, ordained him as a priest in 1971, giving him the dharma name Jusan Kainei (“Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea”). In the years since, Edward helped found Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, worked with Deborah Madison in writing The Greens Cookbook, and has written several other cookbooks, including The Complete Tassajara Cookbook, and Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings. He edited Not Always So, a collection of Suzuki Roshi’s lectures, and in 2007, he was the subject of a critically acclaimed feature-length documentary film entitled How to Cook Your Life, directed by Doris Dörrie.
In 2018, No Recipe: Cooking as a Spiritual Practice, Edward’s book about finding our own way in the kitchen – and in life – was published. One of Edward’s students, Danny Parker, put together a book of his lectures, selected from 30 years’ worth of teaching; The Most Important Point was published in 2019.
In addition to studying Zen, Edward has also done extensive vipassana practice, yoga, and chi gung. He leads regular sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and offers workshops in the U.S. and internationally on a variety of subjects, including cooking, handwriting change, and Mindfulness Touch.
Our Sangha
The Peaceful Sea Sangha is the community of Edward’s students and others interested in his teachings. Supporters can be found across the United States and around the world. The Peaceful Sea Sangha is an officially registered California Religious Organization. This means that while it is not a 501(c)(3) organization, donations to the Peaceful Sea Sangha are considered tax deductible (please consult your tax adviser for applicability in your location). Donations may be made on-line (through PayPal) or by mail to Peaceful Sea Sangha, 75 Sequoia Road, Fairfax, CA 94930. Official thank you letters are sent out in January of each year. Thank you very much for your support!
Photos by Margot Koch, Marjorie Walter
Our Temple
Yōshin-ji (Nourish Heart Zen Temple) is our non-residential temple located in Fairfax, California. Although Edward’s students live around the world, this is the Sangha’s home base. Dedicated on January 1, 2014, Yōshin-ji (in non-pandemic times) hosts regular sittings and cooking classes in a light-filled space, with original artwork by Margot Koch on the walls. A separate space is available for yoga and other gatherings. The surrounding garden provides a lovely outdoor area for tea, chi gong, lively conversation or quiet contemplation.