About Our Teachers

Mt. Equity Abbess Rev. Dai-En Bennage Rev. Patricia Dai-En Bennage found her path on Buddhism with A Manual of Zen by D. T. Suzuki in 1958. A resident of Japan for 23 years, she began practice at Koho-In in Tokyo in 1975. She later received priest precepts from Noda Daito Roshi, and trained at the Women's Soto Zen Monastery in Nagoya, receiving Transmission, then training in the Shike` program ending in 1990. She practiced with the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh before founding Mt. Equity Zendo in 1991. She is the translator of Abbess Shundo Aoyama Roshi's book Zen Seeds, and interpreted for her for the East-West Spiritual Exchanges between Buddhist and Christian contemplatives.

While in Japan, Rev. Dai-En assisted in leading zazen at Kasamatsu Women’s Prison. Here in the U.S. Rev. Dai-En led zazen at several federal prisons in her area. After leading zazen at Bucknell University for 12 years, she has asked Prof. Nancy Nanshin White to instruct in her place. Installed as Abbess in 2005, Rev. Dai-En is a Jun-Shike`, or Associate Master Teacher, authorized to assist other teachers’ disciples.

Rev. Daishin Eric McCabe is Assistant Teacher to Abbess Dai-En Bennage, under whom he has been training as a resident practitioner at Mt. Equity since 1998. Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1973, he grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was a competitive swimmer, and went to college at Bucknell University where, in 1995, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion and Biology. He began practicing Zen in 1994 at Bucknell, where he met Abbess Dai-En.

After receiving Priest Precepts in 2004, Rev. Daishin was sent to train at several Zen Temples, including Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California, Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village in France, and Zuioji, Gotanjoji, and Shogoji in Japan. Prior to receiving Priest Precepts he also studied at Nebraska Zen Center under Rev. Nonin Chowaney and worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide.

In 2008 Rev. Daishin received Transmission by Abbess Dai-En. In 2010 he was recognized as a teacher within the Soto Zen Buddhist Association in North America. In 2011 he fulfilled the requirements to be recognized as a teacher in Japan.

For information on Mt. Equity's programs call 570-546-2784 or e-mail info@mtequity.org
Mt. Equity Zendo is located at 280 Mt. Equity Rd. Pennsdale, PA 17756-6564