Robert Kennedy is both a Zen Buddhist Roshi and Jesuit Catholic Priest.  As a contemplative he represents the Zen Buddhist and Ignatian Christian contemplative traditions on the board of Contemplative Network.  He teaches Theology and Japanese at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City.  He is a practicing psychotherapist and the author of “Zen Gifts to Christians” and “Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit.”  He is active in interfaith work, teaching Zen to persons of all faiths.

He studied Zen in Japan with the Japanese master Yamada Roshi.  Later he continued his study under Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles and Bernard Tetsugen Glassman Roshi in New York.  In 1991 he was made Sensei or teacher and in 1997 was given the title Roshi or Master.  He holds a B.A. and M.A. in theology from Fordham University and a Th.M. in theology from Sophia University in Tokyo.  He holds three doctorates, a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Ottawa, an S.T.D. in sacred theology from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, and a D. Min. in Psychology and Clinical Studies from the University of Andover-Newton in Boston.