Jokai Blackwell Roshi relocated to California from the UK in 2000 to study at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California. Under the guidance of Tenshin Fletcher Roshi, Jokai Roshi completed formal studies in the White Plum Lineage of Zen Buddhism and received his Dharma Transmission, the authorization to teach and transmit Zen, in 2014.
After more than twelve years of residential training in a formal practice community, Jokai Roshi was inspired to bring the heart of realization into the midst of everyday life. He visited Long Beach Meditation as a guest teacher on several occasions, leaving a lasting impression on the community. At the invitation of the Board of Long Beach Meditation, Jokai Roshi accepted the role of Guiding Teacher in the summer of 2018. Continuing his studies in Zen Buddhism, he received Inka, the full and final Seal of Independence, in 2022.
As one of his roles as Guiding Teacher, Jokai Roshi meets regularly with the Teachers of Long Beach Meditation. With the goal of cultivating a strong ethical foundation from which to teach the Dharma, he provides our Teachers with mentorship, training opportunities, assistance in developing programming, broadly providing encouragement, and support for their continued learning and growth. Jokai Roshi emphasizes the direct experience of awakening using contemporary language and time-honored methods. He continues to live, work, and teach in Southern California.
