Laura Burges

Ryuko Laura Burges, a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, teaches classes, lectures, and leads retreats in Northern California. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States. Laura taught children for 35 years while mentoring aspiring teachers and co-founded the Meditation in Recovery Programs at San Francisco Zen Center. Shambhala Publications offers her Buddhist children’s books: "Buddhist Stories for Kids: Jataka Tales of Kindness, Friendship, and Forgiveness"; and "Zen for Kids: 50+ Mindful Activities and Stories to Shine Loving Kindness in the World." Her book on the intersection between Buddhist practice and recovery from addiction is, "The Zen Way of Recovery: An Illuminated Path Out of the Darkness of Addiction". Her most recent book is "Wisdom Stories of Tibet", which she wrote in collaboration with Lama Chonam. Two other books in this series will be coming soon, "Wisdom Stories of India" will be released in the spring of 2026 and "Wisdom Stories of Japan" will follow in 2027. Laura is a Fellow at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony and has been an adjunct Professor of Education at University of the Pacific and Holy Names University in California. She lives in San Francisco.