Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center

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Jokai Blackwell Sensei

Vice Abbot

Jokai Sensei began studying Zen Buddhism in England in 1998, becoming a formal student of Tenshin Fletcher, Roshi in 1999. He was a resident of Yokoji from Spring 2000 until Winter 2004, during which time he completed his term as Shuso (head trainee). After four years living and working in Los Angeles, Jokai Sensei returned to full-time study at Yokoji. He received Tokudo (priest ordination) in 2010 and completed koan study in 2013. Jokai Sensei continues his studies under the guidance of Tenshin Fletcher, Roshi

Recent Posts by Jokai Sensei

  • Celebrating Vesak at Yokoji

    Today we celebrated Vesak, the commemoration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and...


  • A Day of Zen Practice

    Spring is in full flow here at the Center. It’s quite an easy transition to say goodbye - at...


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Jim Yugen Lakey Sensei

Jim started Zen practice in Liverpool (UK) in 2005 with Keizan Scott Roshi. He moved to California in 2008 to train full-time with Tenshin Roshi at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, completing his formal training in 2014 and receiving Dharma transmission in 2021. In 2015, Jim moved to Joshua Tree with his wife, Melissa, and runs a local sitting group, Mojave Zen. Jim and Melissa work together making wedding films as The Quail & The Dove.

Recent Posts by Yugen

  • A Turn for the Worse

    Following yesterdays storm, Apple Canyon Road is closed. The whole valley is full of debris flow, the paved road only navigatable after it was cleared by Caltrans. The mile long road to the center was barely accessible this morning. Yokoji was hit harder than ever.


  • After the Storm

    Over the weekend, we experienced the heaviest rain fall since the storm that followed the fire. In fact, Tenshin Roshi who was present for part of the storm thought it was some of the heaviest rain he has ever seen at Mountain Center. The good news: we incurred almost no damage.


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