Eido Tai Shimano
Encyclopedia
is 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 retired from that position after 40 years amid controversy.
, Japan
, in 1932. His first encounter with a Buddhist scripture came at the age of nine, when his school teacher instructed his class to memorize the Heart Sutra
. During the war the Shimano family moved to Chichibu, the mountain city where his mother was born.
In his youth Shimano was ordained as novice monk by Kengan Goto, the priest of Empuku-ji, the Rinzai temple in Chichibu. Kengan Goto gave him the Dharma name
Eido, composed from first characters of two Japanese Zen founders, Eisai
and Dogen
. Later he was trained by Shirozou Keizan Roshi, abbot of Heirin-ji, near Tokyo. This was a Rinzai training monastery with strict discipline.
In 1954, Shimano left to study at Ryutaki-ji and practice with Soen Nakagawa
Roshi, a relatively young Zen teacher. The following year Nyogen Senzaki
visited the temple from America and left a lasting impression on Shimano. In 1957, Soen Roshi asked Shimano to go to America for one year to attend the elderly Nyogen Senzaki. He agreed, but Nyogen died in 1958 before Shimano had a chance to go.
Soen asked Shimano to go to Hawaii
instead to help to guide the Diamond Sangha, founded by Robert Baker Aitken
and his wife, Anne Hopkins Aitken
. At first reluctant, Soen persuaded Shimano that going to Hawaii would be good for both his recuperation from an illness and his academic studies (suggesting he study at the University of Hawaii
).
On August, 1960 Shimano left for Hawaii by ship. His friend Dr. Bernard Phillips, an American Zen scholar, was returning home on the same ship, after doing research in Japan sponsored by the Zen Studies Society
. Without any prior arrangements, they ended up in the same cabin.
Shimano later returned to Japan
and met Haku'un Yasutani
, accompanying him and Soen back to the United States. In 1964, after a rift developed with Aitken, he moved to New York
. In 1965, he became abbot of the Zen Studies Society, consisting of the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji
in Manhattan and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji
monastery in the Catskills mountains.
In 1972 he received Dharma transmission
from Soen Nakagawa,. In 2004 Eido Shimano Roshi received the Buddhism Transmission Award from the Japan-based Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Foundation for his impact on the dissemination of Buddhism in the West; this same organization produced a documentary on Eido Shimano Roshi and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji
.
In July 2010, Eido and his wife had resigned from the ZSS Board of Directors after a relationship between Shimano and one of his female students became subject of controversy, amid accusations that this was only the latest in a series of affairs. Shimano sent a letter of apology to the ZSS community in September, 2010, stating that he would retire as abbot of the Zen Studies Society in December; he did so on December 8, 2010. Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi, who received dharma transmission in 1998, was installed as the new Abbot on January 1, 2011.
In February, 2011, the Zen Studies Society announced that Eido Shimano no longer would teach Zen under the auspices of their organization. On July 2, 2011, an open meeting for all sangha members of the ZSS was held, where Shimano encouraged everyone to accept his successor, Shinge Sherry Chayat, as their teacher, and stated unequivocally that in order to avoid further controversy and division, he would no longer formally teach Zen in any capacity.
Roshi
is a Japanese honorific title used in Zen Buddhism that literally means "old teacher" or "elder master" and sometimes denotes a person who gives spiritual guidance to a Zen sangha or congregation...
. He was the founding abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji
New York Zendo Shobo-Ji
New York Zendo Shobo-Ji , or Temple of True Dharma, is a Rinzai zen practice facility located in the upper East Side of Manhattan, NY. It is part of the Zen Studies Society. Founded on September 15, 1968 by Japanese Zen master Soen Nakagawa, the building had been converted from a private home...
in Manhattan and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, or International Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, is a Rinzai monastery and retreat center located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Maintained by the Zen Studies Society, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji is led by Shinge-Shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat...
monastery in the Catskill
Catskill
Catskill may refer to the following in the U.S. state of New York:* Catskill Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River* Catskill Mountains** Catskill Park, a protected area in the above mountains* Catskill , New York, in Greene County...
mountains of New York; he retired from that position after 40 years amid controversy.
Biography
Eido Shimano was born in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in 1932. His first encounter with a Buddhist scripture came at the age of nine, when his school teacher instructed his class to memorize the Heart Sutra
Heart Sutra
The Heart Sūtra is a Mahāyāna Buddhist sūtra. Its Sanskrit name literally translates to "Heart of the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom." The Heart Sūtra is often cited as the best known and most popular of all Buddhist scriptures.-Introduction:The Heart Sūtra is a member of the Perfection of...
. During the war the Shimano family moved to Chichibu, the mountain city where his mother was born.
In his youth Shimano was ordained as novice monk by Kengan Goto, the priest of Empuku-ji, the Rinzai temple in Chichibu. Kengan Goto gave him the Dharma name
Dharma name
A Dharma name is a new name acquired during a Buddhist initiation ritual in Mahayana Buddhism and monk ordination in Theravada Buddhism. The name is traditionally given by a Buddhist monastic, but is also given to newly ordained monks, nuns and laity....
Eido, composed from first characters of two Japanese Zen founders, Eisai
Eisai
Myōan Eisai was a Japanese Buddhist priest, credited with bringing the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and green tea from China to Japan. He is often known simply as Eisai Zenji , literally "Zen master Eisai"....
and Dogen
Dogen
Dōgen Zenji was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher born in Kyōto, and the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China and training under the Chinese Caodong lineage there...
. Later he was trained by Shirozou Keizan Roshi, abbot of Heirin-ji, near Tokyo. This was a Rinzai training monastery with strict discipline.
In 1954, Shimano left to study at Ryutaki-ji and practice with Soen Nakagawa
Soen Nakagawa
Soen Nakagawa was a Taiwanese-born Japanese rōshi and Zen Buddhist master in the Rinzai tradition...
Roshi, a relatively young Zen teacher. The following year Nyogen Senzaki
Nyogen Senzaki
Nyogen Senzaki was a Rinzai Zen monk who was one of the 20th century's leading proponents of Zen Buddhism in the United States.-Early life:...
visited the temple from America and left a lasting impression on Shimano. In 1957, Soen Roshi asked Shimano to go to America for one year to attend the elderly Nyogen Senzaki. He agreed, but Nyogen died in 1958 before Shimano had a chance to go.
Soen asked Shimano to go to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
instead to help to guide the Diamond Sangha, founded by Robert Baker Aitken
Robert Baker Aitken
Robert Baker Dairyu Chotan Aitken Roshi was a Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He co-founded the Honolulu Diamond Sangha in 1959...
and his wife, Anne Hopkins Aitken
Anne Hopkins Aitken
Anne Arundel Hopkins Aitken is considered by many to be one of the modern mothers of Zen Buddhism in the western world...
. At first reluctant, Soen persuaded Shimano that going to Hawaii would be good for both his recuperation from an illness and his academic studies (suggesting he study at the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
).
On August, 1960 Shimano left for Hawaii by ship. His friend Dr. Bernard Phillips, an American Zen scholar, was returning home on the same ship, after doing research in Japan sponsored by the Zen Studies Society
Zen Studies Society
The Zen Studies Society was established in 1956 by Cornelius Crane to help assist the scholar Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki in his work and to help promulgate Zen Buddhism to Western countries. It is housed on East 67th Street, New York and serves as a Zen practice and training center...
. Without any prior arrangements, they ended up in the same cabin.
Shimano later returned to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and met Haku'un Yasutani
Haku'un Yasutani
was a Sōtō Rōshi and the founder of the Sanbo Kyodan Zen Buddhist organization.-Biography:Ryōkō Yasutani was born in Japan in Shizuoka Prefecture....
, accompanying him and Soen back to the United States. In 1964, after a rift developed with Aitken, he moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1965, he became abbot of the Zen Studies Society, consisting of the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji
New York Zendo Shobo-Ji
New York Zendo Shobo-Ji , or Temple of True Dharma, is a Rinzai zen practice facility located in the upper East Side of Manhattan, NY. It is part of the Zen Studies Society. Founded on September 15, 1968 by Japanese Zen master Soen Nakagawa, the building had been converted from a private home...
in Manhattan and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, or International Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, is a Rinzai monastery and retreat center located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Maintained by the Zen Studies Society, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji is led by Shinge-Shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat...
monastery in the Catskills mountains.
In 1972 he received Dharma transmission
Dharma transmission
Dharma transmission refers to "the manner in which the teaching, or Dharma, is passed from a Zen master to their disciple and heir...
from Soen Nakagawa,. In 2004 Eido Shimano Roshi received the Buddhism Transmission Award from the Japan-based Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Foundation for his impact on the dissemination of Buddhism in the West; this same organization produced a documentary on Eido Shimano Roshi and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji
Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, or International Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, is a Rinzai monastery and retreat center located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Maintained by the Zen Studies Society, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji is led by Shinge-Shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat...
.
In July 2010, Eido and his wife had resigned from the ZSS Board of Directors after a relationship between Shimano and one of his female students became subject of controversy, amid accusations that this was only the latest in a series of affairs. Shimano sent a letter of apology to the ZSS community in September, 2010, stating that he would retire as abbot of the Zen Studies Society in December; he did so on December 8, 2010. Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi, who received dharma transmission in 1998, was installed as the new Abbot on January 1, 2011.
In February, 2011, the Zen Studies Society announced that Eido Shimano no longer would teach Zen under the auspices of their organization. On July 2, 2011, an open meeting for all sangha members of the ZSS was held, where Shimano encouraged everyone to accept his successor, Shinge Sherry Chayat, as their teacher, and stated unequivocally that in order to avoid further controversy and division, he would no longer formally teach Zen in any capacity.
Dharma heirs
- Junpo Denis Kelly
- Andy Afable
- Sherry ChayatSherry ChayatShinge-shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi is the first woman in the United States to have received Dharma transmission in the Rinzai school, though Maurine Stuart had received the unofficial title of roshi from Soen Nakagawa previously. She is the Abbot and guiding teacher of the Zen Center of...
- John MortensenEgely MonasteryEgely Monastery - Taikyo-ji is a Buddhist monastery, formerly in the Rinzai Zen tradition, founded by Denko John Mortensen on the Danish island of Bornholm in 2007...
- Genjo MarinelloDai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen JiDai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji is a Rinzai-style Zen temple,located on North Beacon Hill in Seattle, Washington. Its name translates from Japanese as "Listening to the Dharma Zen Temple on Great Plum Mountain."-History, lineage, and teachers:...
See also
- Buddhism in the United StatesBuddhism in the United StatesBuddhism is one of the largest religions in the United States behind Christianity, Judaism and Nonreligious, and approximate with Islam and Hinduism. American Buddhists include many Asian Americans, as well as a large number of converts of other ethnicities, and now their children and even...
- List of Rinzai Buddhists
- Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United StatesTimeline of Zen Buddhism in the United StatesBelow is a timeline of important events regarding Zen Buddhism in the United States. Dates with "?" are approximate.-Early history:* 1893: Soyen Shaku comes to the United States to lecture at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago...