About NBZ
Who we are
No Barriers Zen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in Maryland and reaching people everywhere through regular online practice and intentionally accessible retreats held around the United States. Our sangha welcomes people of diverse abilities — disabled and non-disabled practitioners alike — and allies who practice the Buddhadharma with mutual respect, humility, and practical care. We design our events and online offerings so they can be joined by as many people as possible: accessibility is not an afterthought, it’s how we practice together. The only way this work blossoms is together — bring your whole self, your questions, your strengths and your struggles. We’ve been waiting for you. Learn about our values and commitments here: [Our Mission Statement].
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Our Support Team
Meet our board, priests, and other members of our Sangha Leadership Team. -
Our Phoenix Cloud Lineage
Founded by Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi, the Phoenix Cloud lineage is in the Soto Zen Buddhist school. Learn more about the guiding forces that have helped illuminate the path for us. -
Our Disabled Practitioner Ancestors
Join us in honoring and thanking the beings with disabilities who have walked this Path before us. While many names have been left behind to history, we remember all those who have sought refuge in the Three Treasures.
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Our Women Ancestors' Lineage
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Our Guiding Teacher
Ōshin Jennings
brief intro bio
A photo of the ridge at Jikoji, taken atop the Santa Cruz mountains. The endless blue sky, lit by a brilliant sun, stretches above miles of rolling hills, covered in forests. In the near distance, there is a figure standing and looking out at the vast landscape.
A photo outside of Jikoji's Zendo, a large rectangular building in dark wood surrounded by lush green forest. There is a large sign in black ink with calligraphy in English that reads "Thus Come"
An overhead shot of Thor Keika, Tam Getsuki, and Kerrie Ellen, sewing one rakusu while at their Jukai retreat at Jikoji Zen Center. There are sewing supplies scattered around the table.
Ōshin Sensei, Tam Getsuki, Thor Keika, and Jesse Rentai are gathered at a table sewing their rakusu with several full bookshelves behind them. Ōshin tenderly holds a Tam's rakusu while smiling at her.
A field of California wild grasses, tall and brown or green, with a large rock in the foreground. A light brown wooden Buddha statue rests on the rock while the sun shines brightly down. The sky is endlessly blue, with soft clouds in the far distance.
Getsuki, a white woman with a warm smile and white hair pulled back in a bun, is standing next to Ōshin Sensei, a white man with clear classes and a friendly smile. They are at the Ridge in Jikoji, the top of a series of hills covered in grasses and rough scrub trees. The hills continue in the distance, disappearing into the clear blue sky.
A brown mottled wooden statue on Manjuśri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, riding a formidable lion, whose mane transforms into clouds around the base. Manjuśri carries a lotus staff and has a soft, serene expression. The statue is held by a white man wearing faded samu-e.
Ōshin, a white man with a shaved head, is sitting in the snow in front of a tree. He is wearing Buddhist robes, surrounded by snow-covered trees in the background. He is carefully placing his folded zagu in front of him, preparing to begin zazen.
An uncapped glue stick and a pile of red business cards in a variety of languages
A group photo during the 2023 Minnesota Sesshin. The practitioners are gathered around a kitchen table doing a craft service project.
Jesse Rentai, the tenzo during the Minnesota Sesshin, is mindfully scraping some cubed potatoes into a large cooking pot.
Swampy land meets a wide flowing river in northern Minnesota. In the distance, wide hills rise up, reaching into the cloudy, pale blue sky. In the foreground, a dock extends into the water. There is someone meditating at the very end of the dock.
A group of ten smiling people standing outside after the NBZ Minnesota Sesshin in August 2023. Behind them is lush green foliage and a river flowing.
The living room transformed into a zendo for our 2023 Minnesota Sesshin. Ten people meditate in a U-shape, facing into the center. Some folks are using a chair and others are seated on cushions.
A large print of white kanji "Bodhi" on a black background. In the reflection found on the print's front, there is a brilliant sunset across the fluffy clouds, and a small Buddha statue on the window sill is reflected over Maryland.
A side photo of the NBZ wooden Manjuśri statue. In one of the many folds of his robe, a small golden Buddha statue sits.
A collection of sewing tools are scattered neatly on a sewing mat next to a piece of blue rectangular fabric that is covered in chalk lines and markings, destined to be a rakusu.
Ōshin Sensei, wearing brown samu-e and a brown rakusu, is kneeling in front of the large wood burning stove in Jikoji's main Zendo. His hands are in gassho as he makes an offering. There are several people gathered around him, chanting and preparing to make their own offerings.
A group of paper lanterns lights up a stone memorial tablet with carved kanji in the dark of night.
A group of six people in robes outside at Jikoji Zen Center. Thor Keika Cary, Matt Unzan Meinhardt, Öshin Jennings Sensei, Jesse Rentai Parrish Lewis, Tam Getsuki Schmidt, Pamela Nenzen Brown Sensei. All are smiling.
The only way we can do this is together.
Please use the form to reach out to us. You can request time to meet with Ōshin, receive an accessibility consultant, ask general questions, request accommodations, and more!