Sensei Sandra Jishu Holmes

Sensei Sandra Jishu Holmes, was a Zen priest, teacher, and dedicated social activist. Ordained by Roshi Bernie Glassman in 1983, she received Dharma Transmission in 1995. With a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University, she applied her compassionate leadership to social service. She co-founded the Greyston Mandala in Yonkers, NY, establishing programs like the Greyston Family Inn to provide housing and support for homeless families. As a founding member of the Zen Peacemakers, she worked to integrate Zen practice with social action, fostering engaged Buddhism and compassionate service. Holmes’s legacy continues to inspire both the Buddhist and social service communities.