Born in Flint, Wales, David Jokai Blackwell began sitting zazen with David Keizan Scott Roshi in Liverpool, England in 1998. Shortly after, Jokai met Charles Tenshin Fletcher Roshi during his annual visit to the UK to lead sesshin. In 2000, Jokai decided to move to the United States to study residentially with Tenshin Roshi at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center.

During his formal training, encompassing over a decade of residential practice, Jokai completed koan study. In 2014, Jokai received Dharma Transmission (authorization to teach) in the White Plum lineage from Tenshin Roshi, and Inka (final approval) in 2022. Jokai Roshi continues to live, work, and teach at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center where he currently serves as Vice Abbot. A selection of his Dharma Talks and writings can be found on his website.