Olympia Zen Center

Brief Biography

Eido Frances Carney received Dharma Transmission from Niho Tetsumei Roshi in 1997 at Entsuji Temple in Kurashiki, Japan.  She founded Olympia Zen Center in 1995 when she returned to Olympia after priest training at Shoboji in Iwate Prefecture.  She was the first woman and first foreigner to train at this temple founded in the 13th Century.  She had been a long-time student of Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi beginning practice in the early 70's.  Kobun Roshi died in 2002. 

She was Adjunct Faculty in Humanities at South Puget Sound Community College for ten years from 1996 until 2006.  She is former President of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, a national organization of Soto Zen Buddhist priests.

As she is in lineage with the hermit priest-poet Ryokan, she endeavors to teach about Ryokan, his poetry and life, entering art and poetry for transformation and insight.

In 2008, Niho Roshi named Eido Roshi, Abbess of Fukujuji, a new temple which Niho Roshi had built in Nakasho, Japan, which is near Kurashiki and Okayama. 

 Fukujuji Temple in Japan.  Fukujuji means Happiness and Long-life.

  Fukujuji Temple

Eido Frances Carney Roshi next to Gogo-an in Olympia.

 Eido Roshi and Niho Roshi at Fukujuji in Nakasho, Japan where Eido is Abbess.

 This writing says, Shobozan, which is Fukujuji's mountain name.

 Reflection of sky and Okayama in the temple doors.

Teacher Travel Schedule 2012

March 30 - April 1 - Los Angeles

April 6, 7 - Bellingham Zen Community, WA

September 1 - 30 - Upaya, Santa Fe

October 4 - 10 - Great Vow Monastery, Clatskanie, OR