Hearing Younger Women’s Voices

About this panel event:

This panel highlights the voices of three women who were drawn to Buddhist practice and study early in their lives and who have woven practice into their vocations as teachers, writers, artists, and musicians.  We will explore their paths to Zen practice, their experiences as women in their sanghas, their concerns, and their visions.

Please note that the details of the event may be subject to change.  Thank you for your understanding.

Location and schedule:

The event is online-only via Zoom.

Saturday, October 19, 2024
3:30 pm- 5:00 pm Eastern Time (Click here for a time converter.)

Fees:

The Soto Zen Buddhist Association relies on the generosity of its supporters to offer programming.  All fees offered through registration will be shared with speakers and panelists. We suggest a sliding scale registration fee of $10-15 for online participation. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Meet The Panelists:

Blythe King is an accomplished artist and educator with a background in Buddhism and art. She is the President of Richmond Zen and leads a Buddhist Women Ancestors study group. Blythe's collage work reflects her exploration of Zen practice through images of women. She was awarded a 2022-23 Artist Fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and launched Open Space Education in 2021 to provide equitable access to nature and art education for young people in Richmond.

Shijun Heather Martin, a Soto Zen practitioner and lay Zen teacher, received dharma entrustment from Rev. Colin Gipson in 2022. She is also a registered dietitian and a Candy Corn Science Correspondent for the Today Show's Food section, with contributions to other platforms. Martin shares her insights on Zen, food, and health as a blogger using the handle Mom of No Rank.

Rev. Zenki Kathleen Batson is the Vice-Abbess of the Chapel Hill Zen Center in North Carolina. She has practiced Zen with her teacher, Josho Pat Phelan, since 2000. Zenki is not only a priest but also a professional musician, artist, and former Montessori toddler teacher. She is deeply drawn to the intersection of Zen teachings and caring for the natural world.


Meet the Moderator:

Rev. Tova Green, she/her, is a resident priest at San Francisco Zen Center. She received Dharma transmission from Eijun Linda Cutts in 2015 and is the Branching Streams Director, connecting 75+ Zen Centers and sanghas in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. Tova co-founded SFZC’s Queer Dharma group and is involved in Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives. She also enjoys reading and writing poetry and playing the cello.