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. Kōsen Eshū Kilgour, Osho was affirmed as the first Abbot and teacher by the board of directors and membership in 2005. He stepped down in 2018, and returned in April 2025 to resume his role as Abbot — teacher and guide of practice.
Eshū Osho is supported in guiding the Zenwest Buddhist Society, and the global Zenwest community, by our three priests: Doshu Osho, Rev. Hoyu Boulter, and Rev. Soshin McMurchy.
