Our Zen Teachers

Daniel Terragno Roshi, Diamond Sangha Teacher

GUIDING TEACHER

Daniel Terragno Roshi was named guiding teacher for the Zen group in 2001.  Each year Roshi comes to Ohio to guide a least one sesshin.

Daniel is a teacher in the Diamond Sangha tradition (founded by Robert Aitken) and is a Dharma heir of John Tarrant. A native of Chile, he now resides in Sebastopol, California, and is the founder of the Rocks and Clouds Zendo there.  In addition to coming to Ohio, Daniel leads sesshin, talks and conferences in Argentina and Chile twice a year. The Argentine group is Viento del Sur. The group in Chile is Zen Montanas y Mar.

Roshi’s recent teishos can be viewed here:

October 2024 Sesshin and Katie’s Transmission Ceremony

PRACTICE LEADER

Katie Egart has been a student of Roshi Terragno for over 20 years.  In 2021 she was given his endorsement to teach and in 2024 she was given Dharma Transmission in the Diamond Sangha tradition.  Katie is the practice leader for the Yellow Springs Zen Group. She is an ordained Buddhist Chaplain and works part-time at the  Ohio Reformatory for Women where she facilitates Buddhist practice and teaching. She has been a member of the Yellow Springs Dharma Center for 30 years and is on the Board of Trustees for the organization.

FOUNDER

Donna Denman, Ji Do (Compassionate Way), was one of the original founders of the Yellow Springs Dharma Center in 1993.  Having practiced Korean Zen in the Seung Sahn tradition, she received the Dharma name Do Kwang (Way of Light) in 1991.  She began practicing Zen in the Diamond Sangha tradition in 1995 with teachers Robert Aitken Roshi (with whom she took Jukai), and Pat Hawk Roshi. She founded the Zen group at the Center and confirmed our link with the larger Diamond Sangha by inviting Daniel Terragno Roshi to the Center in 1997 for semi-annual sesshins. Donna has continued to provide an anchor to the group throughout the years, giving Dharma talks and participating as a long-time board member of the Center.

Donna’s talk,  Remembering Two Teachers with Gratitude, February 2025: