Nyoze Demian Kwong
His bio from Sonoma Mountain Zen Center:
Nyoze Demian Kwong received a B.A. in Anthropology/Archeology from University of California Santa Cruz. He worked as a fundraiser in Stanford University’s Engineering Department. In 1998 he lived and worked at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico and studied socially engaged Buddhism with Joan Halifax-roshi and Bernie Glassman-roshi of the Zen Peacemaker Order for two and a half years.
Nyoze received lay precepts in 1987 at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. In 2009 he was ordained as a novice monk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi. In 2012 Nyoze finished his formal training at Eiheiji, the oldest monastery and head temple of the Soto Zen School in Japan. He received Dharma transmission in November 2014 and completed zuisse at both Eiheiji and Sojiji Head Temples of Sotoshu (the Soto School of Zen) in June 2015. He is recognized by Sotoshu as a Kokusaifukyoshi (international zen teacher) in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi.
‘Watershed moment’ as new leader takes reins at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center The center in Santa Rosa welcomed a new abbot for the first time since it was founded in 1973. From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, September 2, 2023.
Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in Santa Rosa. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
On YouTube: Conversation with Zen Masters Jakusho Kwong-roshi and his son Nyoze(如是) Demian Kwong joined Jane Metcalfe and Louis Rossetto with Gaymon Bennett, a Professor of Religion, Science, and Technology at Arizona State University. Together they discussed the fascinating ways that technology and beliefs converge.
A Refuge Saved: How the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center’s Priests and Followers Battled the Nuns Fire. Sonoma Magazine, 2019.
Interview with Demian Nyoze Kwong in the SMZC Mountain Wind newsletter, 2015.
Vimeo video: Shuso Hossen Shiki Ceremony for Demian Nyoze Kwong at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Genjoji February 22, 2014. In this video are teachers from Shunryu Suzuki-roshi’s lineage; Rev. Hoitsu Suzuki-roshi as Doshi and Rev. Shungo Suzuki, from Rinsoin, Japan. Rev. Gengo Akiba-roshi of Kojinan serving as Jokeshi. Acharya Allen Schwartz of Shambhala International. Rev. Daigaku Rumme, Sotoshu Bishop of North America and Rev. Shundo Kushida from Sotoshu Headquarters in Los Angeles. Rev. Ikki Nambara and Rev. Yuji Ito of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center, Rev. Taiki Nakamura from Eiheiji and others.