About our Teacher
Diane Eshin Rizzetto
 Diane Eshin Rizzetto received Dharma Transmission from Charlotte Joko Beck in 1994 and was installed as teacher and abbess of the Bay Zen Center shortly thereafter. Diane was born and grew up in Boston, MA. After moving to California from Boston in 1978, Diane began her Zen practice with Sojun Mel Weitsman of the Suzuki Roshi lineage at the Berkeley Zen Center. She taught English and Drama in high school for many years in the Bay Area and was in private practice as a learning therapist before becoming the Bay Zen Center's full-time abbess and teacher. Diane's approach to practice is down-to-earth and practical. A mother of three and grandmother of five, she encourages her students to meet their daily life in the spirit of honest inquiry and awareness. She sees the Bay Zen Center as a practice place that offers support and encouragement for people with varied backgrounds, experiences, and responsibilities.
Diane works with students locally and from a distance. She travels to Europe several times a year to lead retreats and is available by phone to speak with people, who live at a distance, about their practice. Her forthcoming book on the Zen precepts to be published by Shambhala in May, 2005 illustrates how she helps people develop open, honest questioning, and take clear responsibility for their actions.
Diane's upcoming book is titled "Waking Up to What You Do : A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion" |
