Ed Sangetsu Sullivan

Roshi | Soto Zen Priest

Edward Sangetsu Sullivan is a Roshi in the White Plum lineage of Zen and a Soto Zen priest. He first started meditating over forty years ago and has practiced a variety of meditation techniques. He received Dharma transmission from Roshi Bruce Seiryu Blackman in 2014. Later he ordained as a Soto Zen priest receiving Shukke Tokudo in 2016 from Roshi Jules Shuzen and completed Denkai in 2021 thereby becoming a senior priest. In 2025 Sangetsu received inka and the title of Roshi from Roshi Robert Jinsen Kennedy. Currently, Sangetsu Roshi is the resident teacher at the Red Rose Sangha in Lancaster, PA. In 1985, he completed his doctorate in economics at The Pennsylvania State University. He is a Professor Emeritus of Business Administration and Economics at Lebanon Valley College, where he founded a program that teaches contemplative practices to students, faculty, and staff of the college.

Clair Daisetsu Helsel

SenSEI | Soto Zen Priest

Clair Daisetsu Helsel is a Sensei (teacher) in the White Plum lineage and a Soto Zen priest. He came to Red Rose Sangha in 2012 in search of a meditation practice. With Red Rose Sangha, he found that, as well as a community. He took Jukai in 2017 and in 2019 became Shuso. In December 2021, Daisetsu was made a Hoshi by Sangetsu Sullivan Roshi. In May of 2022, he took Shukke Tokudo and Denkai in 2024, thus becoming a fully ordained senior priest by Sangetsu Roshi. Daisetsu’s hobbies include cooking and woodworking. Clair received transmission (denbo)  as a sensei in the White Plum Asangha from Roshi Edward Sangetsu Sullivan in October 2026.

Laura Kaigetsu Eldred

SenSEI | Soto Zen Priest

Laura Kaigetsu Eldred is a Sensei (teacher) in the White Plum lineage and a Soto Zen priest. She began a formal meditation practice in 2015 and began sitting with Red Rose Sangha in 2016. She took Jukai in December 2017, served as Shuso in 2021, became a dharma holder in December 2021, and received Shukke Tokudo in 2022 and Denkai in 2024 from Sangetsu Sullivan Roshi thereby becoming a fully ordained senior priest. She has a doctoral degree in literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2007) and a certificate from Cornell in conflict mediation. She enjoys hiking, spending time with Sangha friends and colleagues, and watching horror movies. Kaigetsu works to support Red Rose Sangha as an inclusive and diverse community of Zen practitioners who also pursue social justice initiatives in the community. Laura received transmission (denbo)  as a sensei in the White Plum Asangha from Roshi Edward Sangetsu Sullivan in October 2026.