Guiding Teacher
Thomas Pastor JDPSN is founder (1994) and abbot of the Zen Center of Las Vegas (formerly Great Brightness Zen Center) in Las Vegas. He is also the guiding teacher for the Isthmus Zen Center in Madison, WI.
He began formal study in the Kwan Um School of Zen in the late 1980s with Zen Master Ji Bong and subsequently received inka from Zen Master Seung Sahn on April 6, 2002. He was the last person to receive inka (certification to teach) from Zen Master Seung Sahn prior to the great master's passing in 2004.
In addition to teaching responsibilities at Zen Center of Las Vegas, Thom also teaches an Introduction to Zen Buddhism at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
He also initiated a Zen meditation program at Federal Prison Nellis which claimed one of the highest attendance rates of any volunteer program at that facility.
Currently Thom Pastor travels extensively, leading retreats at other Zen Centers in the United States. A former professional musician and current secretary/treasurer of the Musician’s Union of Las Vegas, Thom has performed with over 100 internationally known recording and show business luminaries. He is married with two children.
