Rev. Eido Bruce Espe is head priest/teacher emeritus of the Des Moines Zen Center and continues in his role as vice-abbot of Ryumonji Zen Monastery in northeast Iowa. He is the founder of Sanshinji (Deep River Temple), the international Soto Zen temple designation given to the Des Moines Zen Center by the Japanese Sotoshu as a result of his practice and dedication.

Rev. Espe discovered Zen after serving in the Army and a tour of duty in Vietnam. He has two grown children, two grandchildren, and is retired from a career as a hospice nurse.

Rev. Espe is a Soto Zen priest in the lineage of Dainin Katagiri Roshi. In 1997, he received ordination. In 2010, he received Dharma transmission from his teacher, Rev. Shoken Winecoff. He has trained extensively in Japan, completing four ango practice periods and zuise at Eiheiji and Sojiji Monasteries.