Membership List

Rev. Daiken Nelson, Roshi began Zen Practice 36 years ago in Iowa, where he was born. He studied with several Sucessors to Dainin Katagiri Roshi from the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center.

Since that time, he has practiced with several Teachers within the White Plum Zen Lineage & Zen Peacemaker Order.

In October 2013, Daiken received Shiho from Roshi Francisco "Paco" Genkoji Lugoviña, a Successor to Roshi Bernie Glassman.

In November 2021, Daiken received Inka from Roshi Paco.

Roshi Daiken is the Founder & Guiding Teacher of the Pamsula Zen Center in W. Harlem, NYC, and 2 Affiliates: Youngstown Zen Center in Youngstown, OH & the Pamsula Zen Westchester Sitting Group in White Plains, NY.
Since October, 2023, Daiken is the Guiding Teacher for the Iowa City Zen Center.

Prior to focusing on Zen, Daiken was a Social Worker; working with the homeless plus those with Chronic Mental Illness and Substance Abuse issues.

Currently, Daiken is Founder of The Mandala Café, a Nonprofit which provides Culinary Training to those needing job training and placement due to challenges to finding and keeping a job, a Catering business offering part-time employment and Training for individuals in those groups plus a weekly Community meal in Central Harlem and a monthly meal in Harlem for Migrants & Refugees. http:mandalacafe.org

In addition to Zen, Roshi Daiken is a Reiki Master, Yoga Instructor, Photographer and Artist.