Tenkei Coppens
Anton Tenkei Coppens (Netherlands, 1949), the abbot of Zen River, has a background in art and art history and started Zen practice in England in 1976. He continued with Maezumi Roshi and Genpo Roshi in the US and lived and trained there for many years. After Dharma transmission in 1996, he assisted Genpo Roshi in teaching for four more years and then went to Japan with his wife Myoho to study with Maezumi Roshi’s brother, Junyu Kuroda Roshi. Later, in Zuijoji, he completed the training necessary for accreditation by the Japanese Soto School. Finally, he and Myoho returned to The Netherlands and established Zen River. Tenkei received Inka in 2006 (the final seal of approval) from Genpo Roshi. In 2021 he published Timeless Calling, Timely Response, a guide for Zen Buddhist Practice. In 2024 he republished Teaching of the Great Mountain, a series of Dharma talks by Maezumi Roshi that he edited. To date, Tenkei has appointed nine Dharma successors.
Myoho Gabrysch
Tammy Myoho Gabrysch was born in Edinburgh (1961). She studied Fine Art in Manchester and worked as a freelance artist and a musician until she met Genpo Roshi in 1988. She then lived in the Kanzeon Zen Centre in Maine and Utah for twelve years, where she discovered her vocation as Tenzo (head cook). In 2000, together with Tenkei, she studied for six months in Japan with Junyu Kuroda Roshi and later did her official Soto temple training in Toshoji. She received Dharma transmission from Genpo Roshi in 2008, and Inka in 2018. After setting up Zen River Temple with Tenkei, she shared her decades of cooking experience in her Zen River Cookbook series. She also released her musical renditions of Buddhist chants in the first ShoSaiMyo-EP under the artist Myora.
Dharma Successors to Tenkei Roshi
Peter Gakudo den Hollander
Peter Gakudo den Hollander has a degree in social studies and has worked with young adults from ethnic minorities in The Hague. He started Zen practice in 1997. He helped Tenkei and Myoho find and set up Zen River Temple with his partner Koren. There he grew into a temple-builder, working for 15 years on many construction and maintenance projects for the newly founded temple. After receiving Dharma transmission in 2013, Gakudo completed his Soto temple training in Shogoji and Toshoji. He then followed his calling to the Spanish Pyrenees, where he began constructing Keiruiji Zen and retreat centre of which he is the current abbot. In 2024 he received Inka from Tenkei.
Anjo Koren Kasman (1956–2016)
Anjo Koren Kasman studied business economics and worked as an administrative manager at the Leiden Academic Hospital. She started Zen practice in 1999. She helped find and set up Zen River Temple, dedicating her time to the financial health of the temple and the sewing room. She received Dharma transmission in 2013, after which she completed her Soto temple training in Yokoji and Toshoji. Koren then moved with her partner Gakudo to Keiriuji Zen Centre in the Spanish Pyrenees. Unfortunately, due to an incurable form of cancer, she passed away on August 22, 2016. Her Dharma name Koren means ‘Shining Lotus’ and she manifested that quality beautifully until the very end.
Simon Senko de Boer
Simon Senko de Boer studied political science in Amsterdam and worked for a non-profit organisation focussing on community building and environmental awareness. Moving to Zen River in 2003, he immediately found his niche as a gardener and took on the temple grounds as his main field of work practice. He received Dharma transmission in 2014 and completed his Soto temple training in Toshoji. A few years later he moved to the Zen Boat in Groningen, where he now leads the program with his partner, Jifu. He also teaches weekly classes at Zentrum in Utrecht.
Robert Doin van de Roer
Robert Doin van de Roer graduated in applied physics and software engineering. He also obtained a concert diploma for piano from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Doin started Zen practice in 2000. When he moved to Zen River, his light-heartedness and skill with the computer made him quickly fill in the vacancy as the receptionist. Over time, he also began to specialize in formatting texts, helping Zen River Temple with its various publications and now working part-time as a typesetter. He received Dharma transmission in 2014, after which he did his Soto temple training in Toshoji.
Helma Jifu Vulink
Helma Jifu Vulink studied literature and theatre in Amsterdam and worked for many years as an actress and drama teacher. Meanwhile, she raised a family. Jifu started Zen practice in 2003 at Zen River Temple. At the temple, her functions were flexible, specializing in helping out wherever help was needed, whether it be maintenance, the garden or the kitchen. Jifu received Dharma transmission in 2014 and finished her Soto temple training in Toshoji. She currently lives with Senko on the Zen Boat in Groningen. In 2020, Jifu also became the spiritual leader for Kanzeon Zen Centrum Rotterdam.
Jorge Ryusho Lopez Doriga
Jorge Ryusho Lopez Doriga was born in Madrid and studied marketing. He started Zen practice in the late 1990s. When Tenkei and Tammy established Zen River Temple, he immediately began to combine his work as a marketeer for Disney with frequent stays at the temple. He received Dharma transmission in 2015. Ryusho’s Zen practice eventually made him realize he wanted to use his marketing skills for a better purpose. Now he travels the world as chief sustainability for an international beverage company that promotes sustainability and local communities. He set up a Zen group while living in Madrid. Later, when he moved to Lima, he also set up a Zen group there.
Hans Daishin Fischer
Hans Daishin Fischer was born in Eibergen, The Netherlands. He started Zen Practice in 1989 because he was uncertain about his purpose in life. In 2001, he joined Tenkei and Myoho in their search for a temple. At Zen River, Daishin developed himself as the master electrician. As a lay practitioner, Daishin lives part-time at Zen River and part-time with his wife in Zutphen. He received Dharma transmission in 2015. Daishin still finds great purpose in helping to keep the temple lights bright and shining, so that everybody can come and join the ongoing practice here.
Ingrid Ranka du Hullu
Ingrid Ranka du Hullu grew up in Zeeuws Vlaanderen. She graduated from fashion school and later also completed accounting training. She started practising at Zen River in 2006. She was the head seamstress in the sewing room and the treasurer for many years. She received Dharma transmission in 2016 and a year later went to Toshoji for her Soto temple training. In 2020 she moved to Haren, a small town close to Groningen, to set up her sewing studio specialized in all the kinds of Zen apparel that a practitioner may need. Meanwhile, she continues her position as treasurer of Zen River and leads rakusu-sewing classes at the temple.
Gert Zen’etsu Klopman
Gert Zen’etsu Klopman was born in the province of Groningen. He studied coastal engineering in Delft and applied mathematics in Twente. As a specialist on ocean waves—and their impacts on coasts, harbors, and other structures—he worked with various institutions and organizations. Concurrently, he received Zen training from Niko Tydeman Roshi, Jiun Hogen Roshi, and Harada Tangen Roshi. Around 2003, he began practicing at Zen River. His engineering expertise significantly contributed to preparing the temple for the future, making it more sustainable, energy-efficient, and earthquake-resistant. Zen’etsu received Dharma transmission in 2024.