Genzan Quennell

Sensei Genzan Quennell began practicing zen in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. In 2008, while on pilgrimage to the temples associated with Eihei Dogen in China and Japan, he met Roshi Joan Halifax.

In 2009, Genzan requested and received the Precepts from Roshi Joan. In 2010, he again went on pilgrimage with Roshi Joan, this time circumambulating Mount Kailash in Tibet and assisting in the Nepal Nomads' Clinic. Later that year, he formally became Roshi Joan's student.

In 2013, alongside Joshin Byrnes and Jikyo Frankowski, he received Tokudo (novice priest ordination) at which time he left the marketplace to devote himself full time to practice and service. In 2014, he became Upaya's Shuso (head seat). He received Hoshi (Dharma Holder) at the end of Rohatsu Sesshin on December 8, 2015. On January 6th, 2017 he received Denkai and Denpo (Dharma Transmission) along with Sensei Joshin Byrnes.

He also works as religious volunteer in the New Mexico Corrections System and teaches meditation and mindfulness practices at the Santa Fe Recovery Center.