- The Order of the Prairie Wind (OPW) is an independent order of ordained Soto Zen Buddhist priests founded by Rev. Nonin Chowaney. We are a teaching order, whose chief purpose is to serve the community by transmitting the dharma. We emphasize the continuous daily practice of zazen, devotion, and ritual, for we recognize that through these practices we manifest the identity of practice and ...www.prairiewindzen.org