Teachers at Milwaukee Zen Center
Resident Priest
Tonen O'Connor began practice at the Milwaukee Zen Center under Rev. Tozen Akiyama in 1986, was ordained in 1994, received Dharma Transmission in 1999, and performed the ceremony of zuise at Soto Zen's head temples in Japan in 2000. In 2001, Rev. Akiyama designated her his successor as Resident Priest at the Milwaukee Zen Center. She trained at the Toyama Nisodo, Keisei Zendo and Shogoji and Hosshinji Monasteries in Japan, and in 2003 received certification as a dendokyoshi (transmitting-the-dharma-teacher.)
Rev. O'Connor serves on the Board of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and, due to her extensive work with prison inmates, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Religious Practices Advisory Committee. Prior to entering the Zen world, Tonen had a 40-year-career in the non-profit professional theater. She holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College, an M.A. from Tufts University, and an honorary doctorate from Mount Mary College. Tonen's family includes two sons, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Assistant Priest
Having begun his practice at the Milwaukee Zen Center in 2001, Rev. Tojun Cobb received ordination as a Soto Zen priest in 2005 from Rev. Tonen O'Connor. He has trained at Shogoji, Hokyoji, and Mt. Equity monasteries, as well as the Austin and Stone Creek Zen Centers. An accomplished orchestral conductor and composer, Rev. Cobb has held positions with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestras, the Southern Methodist University Conservatory, the Fredonia Chamber Orchestra, and the Waukesha Area Youth Orchestras. He is currently an Associate Member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association.
Resident Priest Emeritus
Rev. Tozen Akiyama served as Resident Priest at the Milwaukee Zen Center from 1985–2001 and firmly established the Soto Zen practice of shikantaza, or "just sitting", that remains the hallmark of our practice today. Rev. Akiyama is currently the Resident Teacher at the Anchorage Zen Community in Alaska, though he is planning to retire within the year.