mbr

A Brief BIO

Mitra Bishop Roshi (MBR) is the founder of Mountain Gate-Sanmonji. She first encountered the practice of Buddhism while living in Asia and began practicing Zen in 1974 while living in Turkey. Later she trained at the Rochester Zen Center with Roshi Philip Kapleau. Mitra-roshi received a B.A. from Indiana University, and worked in graphic, interior, and architectural design for many years. She has two children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

In 1986 Mitra-roshi was ordained by Roshi Kapleau (top photo, right). In 1992, after completing her formal training in Rochester, she went to Okayama, Japan, where she continued to deepen and broaden her practice at Sogen-ji, a Rinzai Zen temple, under the guidance of the Ven. Harada Shodo-roshi.

When Mitra-roshi returned to the United States in 1996, she was formally sanctioned to teach by Roshi Kapleau as a Dharma Heir. In that same year she was asked to come to Hidden Valley Zen Center in San Marcos, California to guide the Sangha there. Concurrently, she established Mountain Gate as a monastic practice center in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

The day sit ...

Day sits generally run from 9:30 - 3:30. This includes zazen (seated meditation) and teisho (a formal talk). Bishop Roshi also will provide sanzen (personal interviews) to her current students.

There is no suggested donation, but donations are accepted. There are no formal meals and participants are expected to bring a sack lunch. For more info - stop by or call or drop us a note through the Contact page.