Ryutaku-ji
Encyclopedia
is a Rinzai Buddhist temple located in Mishima
, Shizuoka Prefecture
, Japan
, that was founded by Zen Master
Hakuin Ekaku
in 1761. During the mid Twentieth century Ryutaku-ji was led by a number of influential Abbots, who encouraged and supported the study of Zen by Westerners. Most Notable among these was Soen Nakagawa Roshi who was highly regarded as a Caligrapher and Haiku Poet, often referred to as the "20'th Century Bassho." Nakagawa's career included regular travel to the United States where he assisted in the founding of the New York Zendo Shobo-ji, and it's training monastery in upstate New York. Nakagawa died in 1984 and his ashes were divided with part being interred at Ryutaku-ji and part in New York. Nakagawa was known for his enigmatic behavior derived from his dedication to ascetic and solitary Zen practice, and his rejection of the excessive formalism of the Zen Hierarchy in Japan.
Kyudo Nakagawa
was the abbot
of Ryūtaku-ji (as well as Soho Zendo on West Broadway in New York City
) up until his death in December 2007.Since January 2008, the new abbot
of Ryūtaku-ji is Eizan Goto Roshi, who is also the Zen Master of Centre Assise, a meditation center near Paris (France).
Mishima, Shizuoka
is a city located in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 2009, the city has an estimated population of 112,078 and a population density of 1,800 persons per km². The total area is 62.13 km²...
, Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
, 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...
, that was founded by Zen Master
Zen master
Zen master is an umbrella title sometimes used to refer to an individual who has been recognized by an authorized Zen lineage holder and teacher as having met his or her own teacher's standards of realization or insight. These standards vary widely in different traditions, and may vary among...
Hakuin Ekaku
Hakuin Ekaku
was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism. He revived the Rinzai school from a moribund period of stagnation, refocusing it on its traditionally rigorous training methods integrating meditation and koan practice...
in 1761. During the mid Twentieth century Ryutaku-ji was led by a number of influential Abbots, who encouraged and supported the study of Zen by Westerners. Most Notable among these was Soen Nakagawa Roshi who was highly regarded as a Caligrapher and Haiku Poet, often referred to as the "20'th Century Bassho." Nakagawa's career included regular travel to the United States where he assisted in the founding of the New York Zendo Shobo-ji, and it's training monastery in upstate New York. Nakagawa died in 1984 and his ashes were divided with part being interred at Ryutaku-ji and part in New York. Nakagawa was known for his enigmatic behavior derived from his dedication to ascetic and solitary Zen practice, and his rejection of the excessive formalism of the Zen Hierarchy in Japan.
Kyudo Nakagawa
Kyudo Nakagawa
Kyudo Nakagawa , or Nakagawa Kyūdō, was a Japanese-born Rinzai roshi who for many years led Soho Zen Buddhist Society, Inc. in Manhattan's Lower East Side. A Dharma heir of the late Soen Nakagawa—who is of no familial relation—Kyudo first became a Zen monk at age eight...
was the 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 Ryūtaku-ji (as well as Soho Zendo on West Broadway in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) up until his death in December 2007.Since January 2008, the new 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 Ryūtaku-ji is Eizan Goto Roshi, who is also the Zen Master of Centre Assise, a meditation center near Paris (France).