Embedded Files
Growing up in the Episcopal Church, Rōshi Mark Kizan Shōgen Angyo Bloodgood aspired to become an Episcopal priest during his pre-college years. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a “subtle feeling” nudged Shōgen to read Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, Shunryū Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Philip Kapleau’s The Three Pillars of Zen, Huston Smith’s The Religions of Man and many of the writings of Alan Watts and D.T. Suzuki. Thus began a love of Eastern religion and philosophy that continues to this day. During this period Shōgen spent time in the Religious Studies Department at Cal State Northridge, California, where he furthered his studies of religion, existentialism, and Buddhism.
Shōgen remained a “closet-intellectual-Buddhist” for decades. On his 50th birthday, during a camping trip in Big Sur, he read an article in Tricycle magazine celebrating the anniversary of Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. Shōgen realized he needed to deepen his meditation practice and look for a teacher. In October of 1999 he found his way to the Zen Center of Los Angeles and became a student of Roshi Egyoku Nakao. He received Jukai in 2005, Tokudo in 2012, Denkai in 2016, was empowered as a Dharma Holder in April of 2019, received Dharma Transmission on December 14, 2019, and Inka Shomei on December 15, 2025.
Rōshi Shōgen has led the SLO Zen Circle for over 20 years. He also leads a prison sangha at the California Men's Colony, where inmates meet weekly for service, meditation, and Dharma teachings. He recently retired from service as a hospice chaplain. He is a member of the White Plum Asanga, the Zen Peacemakers, the American Zen Teachers Association, and an associate member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association.
Active in the local interfaith community, Shōgen is a member of the San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association and the group Opening Doors of Interfaith Understanding.
Shōgen lives in Los Osos, California, with his wife, Karla.
General Offerings
Pastoral Counseling and Care
Teaching the Precepts (Buddhist Ethical Guidelines)
Council Leadership
Ceremonial Offerings
Jukai (Giving the Precepts / Layperson Ordination)
Tokudo (Priest Ordination)
Weddings (including LGBTQ marriages)
Funerals
Memorials
End of Life Ceremonies (i.e. at bedside and/or cremations)
Jizo Ceremonies*
Baby Blessings
House/Facility Blessings and Space Dedications
Eye Openings & Closings for Buddha Statues
Prayer Circles
Daily/Weekly/Annual Zen Buddhist Services
*Jizo Ceremonies – These are often for children who have died at a young age but would also include those who died from miscarriages and abortions (mizukos, or “water babies”: children who have died before or shortly after birth). The mizuko kuyo is a memorial ceremony for these children. These can be private services or community based. They can be expanded to include anyone who has died, both adults and children.
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