Charles Tenshin Fletcher Roshi is the primary teacher and abbot of Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center. Born in Manchester, England, he came to the United States in 1979 to study with Taizan Maezumi Roshi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles, where he later served as administrator for many years. He received Dharma Transmission from Maezumi Roshi in 1994 and Inka from Genpo Merzel Roshi in 2006, and was appointed a Kokusaifukyoshi, or Official Foreign Representative, by Soto Zen Headquarters in Japan in 2009.

Tenshin Roshi teaches in the White Plum lineage, integrating both koan practice and shikantaza, or “just sitting.” Known for his depth of traditional Zen training and his ability to guide students toward their own wisdom, he brings a grounded understanding of family life, work, and practice. He is also the co-author of Way of Zen, a widely used introduction to the history and practice of Zen Buddhism.