19941993199219911990 1995 1996 1997

1996Ralph Chapin signs over the title to Chapin Mill, his family’s 135-acre property in Batavia, NY.

1996Lawson Sachter designated a Dharma Heir by PK, and with Sunya forms the Windhorse Zen Community, relocated from Rochester to Asheville, NC, in 2003.

1993BK, assisted by Sante Poromaa, attends a 9-day conference of Western Buddhist teachers, hosted by the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India.

1996Mitra Bishop designated a Dharma Heir by PK, and assumes leadership of Mountain Gate (NM) and Hidden Valley Zen Center (CA).

1991PK diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

1995Sunya Kjolhede designated a Dharma Heir by PK.

1992The Chicago Zen Center’s 20th anniversary, with all eyes on a zazen mat-and-cushion chocolate cake created by James (now Yusan) Graham, currently the teacher there.1991

The Stockholm Zen Center purchases a large school building on rural property two hours west of Stockholm to develop as a retreat center: Zengården.

1998RZC website created.

1999Berlin,Germany affiliate group formed.

Ralph Chapin (1915 - 2000) Founding life member of the Center, dies at age 85.

September 2002First sesshin at Chapin Mill (in temporary zendo, lower level of Phase One).

August 2001First annual Ralph Chapin Memorial Work Retreat.

2001First Term Intensive, a popular bi-annual period of 3-5 weeks in which participating members commit to increase their daily sitting and other aspects of practice.

April 2000Groundbreaking ceremony for Chapin Mill Retreat Center.

1999Harriet Gratwick, founding member of the Zen Center, dies at 92.

1998Sante Poromaa (Sweden) and Sevan Ross (Chicago) authorized to teach by BK (Dharma Transmission for both in 2002).

2001Kanja Odland (Sweden) authorized to teach by BK (Dharma Transmission in 2006).

December 2001First Coming of Age Program, formed to guide Sangha teens with the transition into adulthood.

August 2000Lou (now Wayman) Kubicka, later joined by his wife Eryl, moves from Madison, WI, to Chapin Mill to oversee construction of the retreat center. Together they oversee on-site training, caretaking, and the rental program.

1998 1999 20012000

1998Formation of Cloud-Water Sangha, consisting of sister centers in Rochester, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Germany, and New Zealand.

1989

1989The Zen Center acquires a house for PK in Hollywood, FL, which is later sold in 1997 when he requires full-time care and moves back to Rochester.

1989Danan Henry is authorized to teach by PK, and the Denver Zen Center becomes autonomous under his leadership.

1997Chicago Zen Center becomes autonomous under the leadership of Sevan Ross.

August 1992PK’s 80th birthday celebration at Chapin Mill.

2002Completion of Phase One of Chapin Mill, including the south buildings.

2002Gerardo Gally (Mexico City) authorized to teach by BK, and Casa Zen, established as an affiliate center in 1977, becomes autonomous under his leadership.

2002Rochester chapter of BPF revived by ZC members in the lead-up to the Iraq invasion. A core group continues, to this day, to sit outside the Federal Building every month throughout the year.

2002

199630th Anniversary symposium with Kenneth Kraft, Stephanie Kaza, BK, Helen Tworkov, and Stephen Batchelor.

August 2002PK’s 90th birthday.

Annual Sangha Entertainment Night, a beloved tradition.

1991BK marries former ZC member Angela Stewart.