Mary Jise Jaksch Roshi

​Mary received Dharma Transmission in March 2004 from Ross Bolleter Roshi, becoming New Zealand's first Zen Master.

In her blog Mary explores how to use meditation in daily life to create joy and ease.

Mary leads Sesshin retreats in Canterbury and Otaki, and also teaches internationally.

Contact:
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The boundless energy and great versatility Mary Jaksch brings to her Zen teaching is also reflected in her achievements in other professional areas and leisure-time passions: She began her career in Germany as a concert flautist and university lecturer. Before studying music she worked part-time as an Outward Bound ski instructor.

She immigrated to New Zealand in 1981 to take up the position as Director of the Nelson School of Music. Later she trained as a psychotherapist and counsellor, specializing on relationship work. Her relationship book All about Love (UK) and Learn to Love (USA) was published in 2001. She holds a 4th Dan Blackbelt in Seido karate and is a talented tango dancer and keen mountain biker.

Mary Jaksch was born in London in 1947 of a reserved British mother and a passionate Bohemian father, whose political career began in Czechoslovakia and continued in Germany where he was elected a Member of Parliament and wrote a series of books about European political history. Her son Sebastian was born in 1981. She lives with her partner, David Bagshaw.