Our group was originally incorporated as a not-for-profit Society in British Columbia in 1980 under the name Victoria Zen Centre. In 2013 we changed the name to Zenwest Buddhist Society. Zenwest is recognized as a religious body in the Province of British Columbia, and is a federally registered charity.
Zen practice here has arisen out of the Japanese Rinzai tradition. Kosen Eshu Martin Osho was affirmed as the first Abbot and teacher by the board of directors and membership in 2005. He retired/resigned in 2018.
We are delighted to announce that Eshu Osho returned to Zenwest in April 2025, and has resumed his role as Abbot — acting as teacher and guide of practice at Zenwest.
Eshu Osho is supported in guiding the Zenwewst Buddhist Society, and the global Zenwest community by our three priests: Doshu Osho, Rev. Hoyu Boulter, and Rev. Soshin McMurchy.
