Background
Hagen grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where he was first drawn to Buddhism when he was seven or eight years old.
Hagen grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where he was first drawn to Buddhism when he was seven or eight years old.
In 2012, Hagen updated and revised How the World Can Be the Way lieutenant Is and published it as Why the World Doesn"t Seem to Make Sense—an Inquiry into Science, Philosophy, and Perception. He later told Linda Hanson of the Duluth News Tribune, "I wanted to know what’s going on and to not be fooled. I wanted to know what was real and genuine and true."
Katagiri Roshi gave Hagen Dharma transmission (endorsement to teach) in 1989.
Katagiri gave Hagen the name "Tokan" which means "breaking through barrier into peace and understanding."
Before opening, Hagen took frequent road trips to Menomonie and Eau Claire, Wisconsin to give workshops and to lead sesshins.
James Ishmael Ford wrote that under Hagen had "..an independent sensibility that parallels Charlotte Joko Beck"s teaching". Among the latter, Hagen taught a yearlong course on Nagarjuna.
Bev Forsman was ordained by Hagen in 2007 and received dharma transmission in 2010. Forsman became head teacher in June 2012 and served until May 2014.
Bev Forsman
Lee Register.