Catherine Genno Pagès Roshi, also known as Genno Roshi, is an influential figure in the world of Western Zen. His unique journey and contributions to Zen in the West have inspired many practitioners.
Origins and initial training
Genno Roshi was born near Grenoble, France. She studied art history in Paris, at the Sorbonne, and worked in cultural institutions before embarking on a spiritual journey that led her to discover Tibetan Buddhism in India and Nepal. In 1982, she met Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi, an American Zen master, in Paris. It was then that she began intensive training in Zen under his direction. In 1992, she received Dharma transmission, marking her ability to teach Zen.
Foundation of the Dana Sangha and teachings
In 1994, Catherine Genno Pagès Roshi founded the Dana Sangha, a Zen center based in Montreuil, France. This center is dedicated to the practice and teaching of Zen. He is particularly known for his open and inclusive approach.
Genno Roshi is recognized for her teaching of koans, meditative tools that help transcend the limitations of the ego and access deeper levels of consciousness. She insists that these koans are not simple puzzles to be solved intellectually, but means of inner transformation.
Impact and legacy
Genno Roshi's work extends well beyond France. She has trained several teachers who transmit her teachings in various countries, including Portugal, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand and the United Kingdom
Genno Roshi continues to teach and lead sesshins, or intensive meditation retreats. She shares her deep understanding of Zen with her students and the public. You can find more information on this subject directly on the Dana Sangha center website.
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