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About Us
The Toledo Zen Center is a beacon to waking up to one's true nature, nestled in Northwest Ohio, at the crossroads of America. TZC is an independent Sangha that provides support for anyone interested in Zen Buddhist practice in the greater Toledo area with weekly services, zazen, zen talks, practice discussions, monthly workshops and retreats.
Much of what happens at the center is available as 'The Drinking Gourd Podcast' via iTunes or you can listen in online Here.
Our History
Founded by Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik and Rev. Karen Do'on Weik in 2001, the Toledo Zen Center has grown into a robust community of practitioners.
Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik began his Zen studies in 1987 at Zen
Mountain Monastery with John Daido Loori Roshi. In 1998, he receved the sixteen buddhist precepts and the Dharma name Chikyo.
In 2001 he moved to Toledo and co-founded the Toledo Zen Meditation Group with his wife Karen Do'an Weik. In 2004 he continued his zen study with Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei,
Daido roshi's first dharma heir, and the Toledo Zen Meditation Group evolved into the Toledo Zen Center. In 2007 Myotai Sensei acknowledged him as Shuso (head monk) for
the winter training period, and his Dharma Talks began being podcast as 'The Drinking Gourd Podcast.' In 2008 he received the Dharma name Rinsen and founded the Drinking
Gourd Dharma Circle, a non-profit organization that evolved from interest in supporting the podcasts and connecting its listeners with Jay and each other. In addition,
he has also studied with Fr. Kevin Hunt Sensei, OCSO since 2006, and in 2009 he became a shoken student of James Myo'un Ford Roshi who is the primary center of gravity
for his continued study of the Dharma today. In June 2009 James Ford empowered Jay to meet with students in private interview, and in July of 2009, Jay was confirmed
as a Senior Dharma Teacher by James Myo'un Ford Roshi, Melissa Myozen Blacker Sensei, and David Dayan Rynick Sensei. He was ordained a as Zen Buddhist Priest by Melissa
Sensei in the Soto lineage in February 2010.
Rev. Karen Do'on Weik began her Zen studies while in college in the 1980s. For the first ten years of her practice, her teacher was Richard Clarke. She met Jay at the Boston Aikido Center in 1993.
By 1994, they were studying together with John Daido Loori, late-Abbott of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskills and then, in 2004, with Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei, Daido roshi's first dharma heir. By 2009, she became a formal student of Melissa Blacker Roshi. She was confirmed as a Senior Dharma Teacher and ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest by Melissa Sensei in the
Soto lineage in February 2010.
Jay and Karen have has been happily married since 1996, and are the proud parent to Isabella Weik (Nyo'i) who was born in 2000.
 Interview of Jay Rinsen Weik
Future Plans
Because of our deep resonance with the teachers and practice of the Boundless Way Zen Sangha, TZC is currently in conversation with BWZ about the possibility of formal affiliation..
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