In Memoriam
Rose Mary Myoan Dougherty Sensei founded One Heart Sangha/Silver Spring Zendo in 2006, becoming our first Guiding Teacher. She also served on the Board of Directors of the White Plum Asanga.
A vowed member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sensei Dougherty began practicing Zen in the 1980s as a student of Charlotte Joko Beck. Subsequently, she joined Clare Sangha in Baltimore with Roshi Janet Jinne Richardson, in the White Plum Asanga. Sensei Dougherty received dharma transmission in 2006 from Roshi Richardson, after which she founded One Heart Sangha.
“With deep gratitude and respect for my teachers, especially Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, Charlotte Joko Beck, and Janet Jinne Richardson, who teach and live the way of peace and encourage me to do the same and for all of you who walk that way together and support me in my faithfulness.”
Sensei Dougherty ministered for over thirty years in the area of contemplative spirituality, offering retreats, workshops and spiritual direction in multi-faith/ecumenical settings. A longtime hospice volunteer, she completed the End of Life Counseling Program at the Metta Institute in California and then co-founded Companioning the Dying in 2008. She also worked extensively at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda MD, directing their graduate program in Spiritual Guidance. After her retirement, she continued to serve as Shalem’s Retired Senior Fellow for Spiritual Guidance.
She transmitted the dharma to two direct successors, Sensei Bill Jian Dietrich, and Sensei Bob JinGen Ertman. Her lineage continues through five more teachers and two new sanghas. Sensei Rebecca MuSeiDo Hawes and Sensei Bruce ShiHo Lindsay are following in her footsteps as teachers at One Heart Sangha. Sensei Martine Taikai Palmiter founded Joyful Mind Zen Community in 2023 and transmitted to Sensei Jan JinKai Gary. Finally, Sensei Joshua Kūhai Radice founded Harbor Light Zendo in early 2025.
Sensei Dougherty wrote two books, Discernment (2009), and Group Spiritual Direction (1995).
