As Zen develops in the United States apart from its traditional Japanese monastic and cultural roots, Dharma empowerments are undergoing changes. Roshi Bernie Glassman, the spiritual leader of the Zen Peacemaker Sangha, has been in the forefront in walking this terrain. A notable difference is the empowerment of lay persons as teachers and preceptors.

Roshi Egyoku's empowerments are the following:

Dharma Transmission (fully authorized Zen teacher):
• Merle Kodo Angyo Plum-Dragon Boyd (March 18, 2006)
• Kipp Ryodo Solitary-Heart Hawley (June 16, 2007)
• John Daishin Plum-Mountain Buksbazen (June 14, 2008)
• Raul Ensho Joyful-Plum Berge (May 8, 2009)
• Patricia Shingetsu Plum-Light Guzy (May 9, 2009)

Fully Ordained Zen Priests and Preceptors (fully authorized to confer the precepts and ordain others):
• Maggie Jifu Gower (1998)
• Merle Kodo Boyd (2002)
• Raul Ensho Berge (2003)
• John Daishin Buksbazen (2003)
• Gary Koan Janka (2006)
• Pat Shingetsu Guzy (2006)

 

Dharma Holders (senior students who are teachers-in-training):
• Maggie Jifu Gower (1995, Roshi Glassman)
• Gary Koan Janka (2006)

 

Additional rites of passage are listed in the Members' Area.