Teachers

​Diane Shoshin Fitzgerald, Sensei received full Dharma transmission in 2017 in the Soto Zen tradition of Master Dogen (through Jiyu-Kennett) and in the Harada-Yasutani koan tradition (through Robert Aitken and John Tarrant). She was ordained as a Soto Zen priest in 2013. Diane formed Zen DownEast in 2012 and serves as its resident teacher.  Diane is a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and the American Zen Teachers Association. A Maine lawyer, Diane has been practicing Zen for more than 25 years.​

Leslie Kanshin Gajdukow is an Assistant Teacher and Practice Leader at Zen Downeast. She is a student of Diane Shoshin Fitzgerald, Sensei. Leslie has been practicing with Diane since before Zen Downeast was even Zen Downeast.  Leslie is a public school special education administrator.  She has a deep affinity to the outdoors, kayaking and hiking whenever possible.

​Mary Awaremu Downing, Assistant Teacher Mary Downing has practiced Zen Buddhism for 10 years and is a Practice Leader at Zen DownEast. A student of Diane Fitzgerald, she is very involved in the EcoSattva Sangha. She is retired from teaching private lessons and classroom music in public schools in Maine and Arizona. She enjoys gardening, biking, cooking, dogs and children of all ages and backgrounds.​