Pat George
Pat George has over thirty years training in Zen Buddhism. She was given permission to teach by Barry Magid in 2004, and opened the Zen Center of Philadelphia in January, 2005. Pat studied at Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York, with John Daido Loori for many years as a lay practitioner and for six years as a resident and monastic in training. Since then she has studied with Barry Magid in the Ordinary Mind School founded by Charlotte Joko Beck. On November 14, 2009, Pat received full transmission in the Ordinary Mind School from Barry Magid. Pat was educated at the University of Delaware, Brown University, and New York University. A single mother for many years, Pat has mostly worked as a teacher, writer, and editor.
Peter Nichols
Peter Nichols was a student of Bernie Tetsugen Glassman and John Daido Loori in the late 1980s and early 90s. Later he practiced with Pat Jikyo George from whom he received Dharma transmission in 2022. He is a husband and father, a retired writer-editor, and a teacher at the Zen Center of Philadelphia.
Bob Koller, Teacher Emeritus
Bob Koller taught and practiced Zen in the Ordinary Mind School at the Zen Center of Philadelphia, where he was authorized to teach by Pat George in a Denkai ceremony in 2014. For many years, he was an active presence in the sangha, serving as a teacher, board member, and former president of the Philadelphia Buddhist Association. Bob extended his commitment to service by training as a Buddhist chaplain and offering his time as a volunteer. He is now retired from teaching.
Oliver
Oliver was the zendo cat at the Zen Center of Philadelphia.
The Last Teachings of Oliver-Osho
First, I need to get the hard stuff out of the way. It’s painful for me to know that you, my people, are the ones who cut a fellow cat in half. And that silly guy who put his sandal on his head as some kind of solution, should know that’s no proper response; the cat is still dead. In fact, that cat is up here in the Tusita Heaven with me, and he walks around looking betrayed saying: “Do not kill. Do not kill. Isn’t that what they say?” He’s inconsolable. Though he can’t let it go, I want you to know that my practice has allowed me to forgive you.
However, there’s also the interest you all take in whether dogs have Buddha Nature. Now why would you focus on this, when it’s absolutely clear that cats most beautifully embody Buddha Nature. Have you not observed me all these years?
Delusions are inexhaustible!
As you all know, I have grown to a great age—19. Of late, I have increased in wisdom, but endured much suffering. No end to old, age sickness and death, indeed.
My final teachings for you are thus:
When hungry, cry out lustfully.
Reconsider vegetarianism.
Take more naps.
Don’t neglect your personal grooming.
When you need love, insist on being petted.
In spite of everything, never stop purring.
It has been my pleasure to be your teacher all these years. And unlike Lulu, who really didn’t much like most of you, I have loved every single person who stepped through that door.
Life and death are of supreme importance.
– Oliver Osho