The Zen Studies Society was established in 1956 by Cornelius Crane to help assist the scholar
Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki
, self-rendered in 1894 as "Daisetz", was a Japanese-American Buddhist monk, essayist, philosopher, religious scholar, translator, and writer. He was a scholar and author of books and essays on Buddhism, Zen and Shin that were instrumental in s ...
in his work and to help promulgate
Zen Buddhism
Zen ( zh, t=禪, p=Chán; ja, text= 禅, translit=zen; ko, text=선, translit=Seon; vi, text=Thiền) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty, known as the Chan School (''Chánzong'' 禪宗), and ...
in
Western countries
The Western world, also known as the West, primarily refers to the various nations and states in the regions of Europe, North America, and Oceania. . It operates both
New York Zendo Shobo-Ji in New York City and
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji in the Catskills area of New York State. Influenced by the teachings of
Soen Nakagawa
was a Taiwanese-born Japanese rōshi and Zen Buddhist master in the Rinzai tradition. An enigmatic figure, Nakagawa had a major impact on Zen as it was practiced in the 20th century, both in Japan and abroad.
Early life
Soen Nakagawa was born a ...
Roshi and
Nyogen Senzaki
Nyogen Senzaki (千崎 如幻, 1876–1958) was a Rinzai Zen monk who was one of the 20th century's leading proponents of Zen Buddhism in the United States.
Early life
Details of Senzaki's early life are unclear. Town records in Fukaura, Aomor ...
, ZSS is one of the oldest organizations dedicated to the practice of Rinzai Zen in the United States.
The institution came under the leadership of
Eido Tai Shimano
was a Rinzai Zen Buddhist roshi. He was the founding abbot of the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji in Manhattan and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji monastery in the Catskill mountains of New York; he was forced to resign from that position of 40 years aft ...
in 1965. Allegations of sexual and financial improprieties surfaced regarding Shimano, causing controversy in the community. In July 2010 Shimano and his wife resigned from the board of directors following the revelation of his relationship with a female student, amid accusations that this was only the latest in series of such affairs.
Shimano also resigned as abbot, and announced he would retire from teaching in any formal capacity.
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See also
*Buddhism in the United States
The term American Buddhism can be used to describe all Buddhist groups within the United States, including Asian Americans, Asian-American Buddhists born into the faith, who comprise the largest percentage of Buddhists in the country.
American Budd ...
*Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States
Below is a timeline of important events regarding Zen Buddhism in the United States. Dates with "?" are approximate.
Events
Early history
* 1893: Soyen Shaku comes to the United States to lecture at the World Parliament of Religions held in C ...
Notes
References
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External links
*Map:
Zen in the United States
Buddhist temples in New York City
1956 establishments in New York (state)
Religious organizations established in 1956
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