Founded in 1966 by the late Roshi Philip Kapleau, author of The Three Pillars of Zen, the Rochester Zen Center is one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to the practice of Zen Buddhism in this country. In 1986 Bodhin Kjolhede was formally installed as Roshi Kapleau's Dharma-successor and Abbot of the Center. Roshi Kjolhede continues to lead the Zen Center today.

The Zen Center’s activities include introductory workshops, daily meditation sessions, a residential training program, and retreats at the Zen Center’s Chapin Mill Retreat Center near Batavia, New York. Affiliate groups and sister centers are located in Madison, Chicago, Cleveland, Mexico City, Stockholm, Berlin, Helsinki, and Auckland.