Jakusho Kwong was born in Santa Rosa in 1935 and began studying Zen with Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, author of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, in 1960. He received ordination at San Francisco Zen Center in 1970, and established Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in 1973 as his commemoration to his teacher. Jakusho Kwong completed Dharma transmission in 1978 through Hoitsu Suzuki-roshi at Rinsoin, Japan. This authorized him as Dharma successor to Suzuki-roshi's lineage. Jakusho Kwong has taught throughout the U. S. and has traveled for the past 15 years to Iceland and Poland to lead retreats for affiliate groups. He is the author of No Beginning, No End.