Arno Hess – Zen Teacher – Brisbane

Arno Hess is a Brisbane-based Zen Buddhist teacher, and the founder of Pathway Zen, where he guides students in Zen-meditation and koan practice within the Sanbozen lineage. 

He is a dharma successor of Mervyn Lander Roshi and has also been formally recognised as a Zen teacher by Yamada Ryoun Roshi, his preceptor and the Abbot of the Sanbozen school of Zen in Japan, who gave him the teaching name Shû’un Ken (Eagle Cloud).

Besides teaching Zen, Arno established the Inside Mindfulness Program, a secular, mindfulness based emotional intelligence course, which together with a team of volunteers, is now offered in six South East Queensland prisons. 

As a Buddhist Chaplain, Arno also facilitates a more advanced meditation practice-group in prisons, the Focus Program, in partnership with the Australian Association of Buddhist Chaplains.

Arno has studied in a range of spiritual traditions and holds a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies.

Before dedicating himself to Zen practice, Arno worked in the business world, where he co-founded a company specialising in manufacturing pharmaceutical packaging machinery.

His ongoing interest lies in integrating Zen into everyday life, and in supporting others to do the same.

He can be contacted at: arno.hess@pathwayzen.org.au

 

James Emmett – Zen Teacher – Gold Coast

 

James Emmett is a Gold Coast-based Zen teacher where he guides Pathway Zen’s Gold Coast Sangha. He was appointed a Zen teacher by Arno Hess in 2025, and is his dharma successor. 

James teaches at Nerang, guiding students in Zen meditation and koan practice as well as offering introduction to Zen lectures. 

He is also a regular facilitator of the Inside Mindfulness program in prisons in South East Queensland.

James developed an early interest in Zen meditation, and has been practicing since his teenage years.

He is a Buddhist chaplain, and a member of the Australian Association of Buddhist Chaplains.

He is a retired Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, who currently enjoys gardening.

James is committed to helping others explore and deepen their own Zen practice and can be contacted at: james.pathwayzen@gmail.com