Female Zen teachers and writers

Question

The Zen center where I live is very male dominated. This might be because it's very small. Anyway, I think Zen sometimes tend to be a bit masculine in its form, wit a kind of quasi militaristic approach. I find this kind of fun and try to have an ironic attitude - irony is indeed a good medicine.

There are plenty of famous women in different schools of Buddhism, esecially Tibetan. But not so much in Zen, it seems.

Is there anyone who knows a good book on Zen practice written by a woman? And I'd also like some online resources/courses/training on Zen by women.

Answer 1

Charlotte Joko Beck revolutionized how Zen - if not the whole of Buddhism - is taught in America. Her books are extraordinary. She also started the San Diego Zen Center. Peggy Jiyu Kennett started Shasta Abbey. Those are two that I know off the top of my head.

And a link.

Answer 2

Shundo Aoyama Roshi is a Sōtō priest who wrote a few books (I'm afraid just one was translated to english, however: Zen Seeds: Reflections of a Female Priest). She is the teacher of Coen sensei, former head of the Sōtō community in south america.