The Pacific Zen Institute, previously California Diamond Sangha, is a Zen Buddhist practice center with several affiliate centers in the lineage of John Tarrant

John Tarrant

John Tarrant is a Western Zen teacher, currently director of the Pacific Zen Institute in Santa Rosa, California.-Biographical Portrait:...

—formerly of the Sanbo Kyodan

Sanbo Kyodan

Sanbo Kyodan is a Zen sect derived from both the Rinzai and Soto traditions of Japanese Zen.-History:...

 school of Zen. According to writer Michelle Spuler, "...in 1999 a decision was made for his organization, the California Diamond Sangha, and its affiliated groups, to formally separate from the Diamond Sangha and start a new organization, the Pacific Zen Institute. James Ishmael Ford

James Ishmael Ford

James Ishmael Ford is an American Zen Buddhist priest and Unitarian Universalist minister. He was born in Oakland, California on July 17, 1948...

says of the Pacific Zen Institute and Tarrant, "He is known for pushing the boundaries of Zen institutions, introducing and dropping liturgical experiments—such as allowing Zen sutras to be set to Cajun tunes or passing out grapes during the service—just to see what happens. Today the Pacific Zen Institute is marked by its willingness to innovate and creatively explore the range of Zen disciplines."