Our Teachers and Staff

Heiji Toshin Spencer Levy - Vice Abbott

Myokan Chris Burnham - Head of Practice (Tanto)

Chris (Rev. Myōkan Daishō) is an ordained Soto Zen priest and head of practice at Beginner’s Mind Zen Center. Chris studied with Jane and Peter and is a frequent visitor to Tassajara Mountain Zen Center where he leads our annual group retreat. Chris currently resides in Grover Beach, CA.

Spencer Levy began his study of Zen Buddhism in 1999 within the White Plum Asanga lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi. In 2004, he came to Beginner’s Mind Zen Center in Northridge, California, where he became a student of the late Peter Schneider, a Dharma heir of Mel Weitsman.

In 2023, Spencer received Tokudo (priest ordination) from Peter Schneider and was given the Dharma name Heiji Toshin (平慈透真), meaning Calm, Compassion, Penetrating Truth. His practice emphasizes the integration of Soto Zen teachings into everyday life through zazen, study, and compassionate service.

Over the years, Spencer has served Beginner’s Mind Zen Center in a number of capacities, including as President of the Board. Following Peter Schneider’s passing in early 2025, Spencer assumed the role of Vice Abbot, where he assists in guiding the practice community through meditation instruction, Dharma study, ceremonies, and the daily life of the sangha. In this role, he endeavors to carry forward the spirit of Peter Schneider’s teaching, honoring his teacher’s example while supporting the continued practice of Beginner’s Mind Zen Center.

Myokaku Jane Schneider - Founder / Abbess

​Yozen Peter Schneider first studied with Shunryu Suzuki-roshi in 1962 and returned to continue in 1967. He served as the second director of Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, as well as president of the San Francisco Zen Center. Peter received priest ordination from Suzuki-roshi in 1970. In 2002 he received dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman-roshi of the Berkeley Zen Center. ​Yozen Peter Schneider passed in 2025.

Myokaku Jane Schneider studied with Shunryu Suzuki-roshi from 1967 until his death in 1971. She served as secretary for the San Francisco Zen Center. In 1973 Jane received priest ordination from Zentatsu Richard Baker-roshi. In September 2008, she received dharma transmission from Myoan Grace Schireson, abbess of Empty Nest Zendo, a dharma heir in the Suzuki-roshi tradition. Jane’s writing has appeared in Seeds of Virtue, Seeds of Change: A Collection of Zen Teachings (Temple Ground Press, 2014) and The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women (Wisdom Publications, 2013).

​Yozen Peter Schneider - Founder