MCH-Sunday Spirit Series: The Bodhisattva’s Response

Our 2025 Sunday Spirit Series theme is Fueled by Faith: how faith directs our life choices.

Rev. Tonen O’Connor is the Resident Priest Emerita of the Milwaukee Zen Center, where she  first began practice in 1986, was ordained by Rev. Tozen Akiyama in 1994, and served as leading teacher from 2001-2011 and again from 2013-2015.  In addition to training under Rev. Akiyama, Tonen trained at several Japanese monasteries and is ranked within the Japanese system as well as continuing to be active within Soto Zen organizations in the U.S.  Rev. O’Connor provided Buddhist programming within the Wisconsin state prison system for 17 years and today continues that activity via email as well as leading a weekly Zen Buddhist study group on Zoom. Rev. O’Connor has been involved in Milwaukee interfaith activity for many years.