OKanin / Dharma Instructor

In traditional monasteries, one individual, the kanin, was responsible for the administration of the monastery or temple, and secured and ensured the availability of a formal practice environment.

This was not a teaching role such as sensei or guru or roshi, nor a sacramental role, such as priest, but rather the kanin assumed responsibility to ensure the functioning of a practice centre.

In the RMS a kanin likewise assumes responsibility for administration, and is supported by members who volunteer to take on administrative task.

Of special note is Ray's wife, Judy LeClair, who is a former ordained Zen monk. Judy acts as tenzo,the individual, traditionally the second most senior monastic, who assures proper care and feeding of the members of the community during all gatherings.

The Current Kanin

Ray Innen Parchelo founded the RMS in 2004 to provide a permanent formal practice environment located in the Upper Ottawa Valley and to strengthen the presence of the Dharma in its communities. He took the position of kanin to ensure a regular and appropriate practice environment, to maintain a resource room and sustain forms which allow practitioners to strengthen their practice and the sangha. He is now the kanin of Akashaloka.

Dharma Instruction

Ray Innen Parchelo also acts as the Dharma Instructor to the Red Maple Sangha. He has studied and practiced Buddhism for over 40 years. He began his dharma practice in 1974 and has been a member of several Buddhist centres, including The Montreal Zen Centre, The Rochester Zen Centre and the White Wind Zen Community. He worked in Sri Lanka in 1980 with the Buddhist development group, Sarvodaya Shramadana, and had a short period in a Theravada monastery. He is presently a member of the Tendai Buddhist Institute, and student of Paul Monshin Naamon, sensei, and training as doshu-soryu (ordinary priest)

Although he does not accept formal students, Ray offers informal individual practice instruction and interviews for those new to their practice. He also presents classes and Dharma talks during the regular practice activities of RMS.

He has a B.A., Hon. in Comparative Religion (Carleton Univ.), an MSW (Carleton SSW) with his thesis on the use of meditation in social work groups, a Certificate of Buddhist Psychology (Amida Trust) and is a Certified Mindfulness Professional (through University of Toronto).

He is a clinical social work therapist and community developer and has lived and worked in the Ottawa Valley since 1975. He regularly uses mindfulness techniques, Morita and Naikan therapies and Buddhist concepts in his social work sessions. He has received extensive training in the clinical use of meditation techniques in a social work setting and regularly leads mindfulness-based group programs and retreats. He leads the peaceful mind programs at Akashaloka and elsewhere.

Ray has published general and scholarly articles on dharma topics and has presented at international conferences. He is available to speak on Dharma or the RMS to local groups and has delivered Introductory Workshops, such as the RMS' Entering the Dharma Path.

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