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Letter to Diamond Sangha on the Occasion of Robert Aitken Roshi's Passing

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Dear Nelson, Michael and Diamond Sangha:

On behalf of the White Plum Asanga, the lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, we join you in sorrow on the occasion of the passing of your founding teacher Dairyu Chotan Aitken Roshi. As a seminal figure in the movement of Zen! Buddhism in the West, Aitken Roshi's improbable Zen journey and many significant contributions will continue as a beacon to Zen practitioners well into the future. We in the White Plum lineage share a strong Dharma link through the Yasutani/Harada lineage and honor Atiken Roshi as our Dharma uncle. Many of us recall his visits to Maezumi Roshi and his lectures at Zen Center of Los Angeles in the early years. In addition to his scholarship, Aitken Roshi's leadership in joining Buddhist practice and social justice continues to inspire and unfold. Although he retired from formal teaching fourteen years ago, his practice with the gift of long life is an inspiration and guidance for us all.

We offer deep bows to "the old layman" and pray for the prosperity of the Diamond Sangha.

Prajna paramita,

The Board of Directors of White Plum Asanga:

Gerry Shishin Wick, President Great Mountain Zen Center, Colorado
Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Vice-President, Zen Center of Los Angeles, California
Anne Seisen Saunders, Secretary/Treasurer, Sweetwater Zen Center, California
Pat Ekyo O'Hara, Village Zendo, New York
Michael Mugaku Zimmerman, The Boulder Mountain Zendo, Utah
Joan Hogetsu Hoeberichts, Heart Circle Sangha, New Jersey

 

 

Robert Aitken Roshi's Passing

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Robert Aitken Roshi passed away on August 5, 2010

aitkenroshiThe world and the many people he touched and helped will remember the courage and wisdom of the great Zen Master, Robert Aitken Roshi, who passed away in Honolulu yesterday on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Born June 19, 1917, Aitken Roshi was a Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He was captured by the Japanese and put in an internment camp at the beginning of WWII, where he met Robert Blyth and learned about Zen. His primary Zen teachers were Yasutani Roshi and Koun Yamada Roshi.

He co-founded the Honolulu Diamond Sangha in Honolulu, Hawaii with his late wife, Anne Hopkins Aitken. Aitken Roshi was actively engaged in social justice throughout his life, and was one of the original founders of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship in 1978. For many, he was a guiding light in applying Zen teachings to the larger world of social justice and the work for peace. 

During his life he wrote over ten books on Zen. At our Zen Life & Meditation Center, students in Zen training, when studying the precepts, often refer to Aitken Roshi's book on this subject,  "The Mind of Clover".  To read a Teisho by Joshin Roshi about a teaching from Aitken Roshi, click here. To read an article by James Ford about Aitken Roshi's story and legacy click here. 

We remember Robert Aitken Roshi with much love, respect and gratitude. 

 

 

Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Zen Lifestyle Center to Debut in Chicago

CHICAGO (May 1, 2010) The former Zen Community of Chicago today announces the debut of the new Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago (ZLMC).

Zen Life & Meditation Center is redefining what Zen is and how it is practiced in the West. "For the first time", says Zen Master Robert Althouse, "we are offering a vast array of programs that translate Zen into our modern society in ways that make these ancient wisdom teachings more accessible to people regardless of their religion, belief or culture. Zen is more relevant to our times than ever before because it helps ground us in our natural wisdom and respond to rapidly chaning circumstances with great effectiveness and confidence."

The Center's entry-level curriculum can empower anyone to live a more effective, Zen-inspired life of openness, empathy and clarity. Classes showcase a simple mindfulness meditation that anyone can learn. These classes offer practical down-to-earth tools that can have a positive impact on one's personal life, one's relationships, as well as show how one is able to contribute their unique gifts to the world at large. These tools are all based on popular western psychological disciplines such as Nonviolent Communication, Focusing, and Big Mind process. 

Leading the instruction is Zen Master Robert Joshin Althouse, who has been teaching for 18 years and practicing Zen for over 40 years. He has studied with many great Zen teachers such as Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and Nicolee McMahon Roshi, and with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

"ZLMC serves to help people effectively deal with commonplace problems in their daily lives", says Zen Master Althouse. The Center's program help people:

  • reduce stress
  • experience peace of mind, confidence and positive self worth
  • deal more effectively with conflict and anger
  • be more focused, relaxed and grounded
  • develop more trust in interpersonal relationships at work and at home
  • build sound physical and emotional health

Besides the entry-level Core Curriculum, ZLMC offers a broad range of programs including meditation, retreats, Fridays with Roshi, Empathic Listening Circles, Self Liberation Workshops, Advanced Zen Studies, Zen Counseling and Corporate Wellness.

ZLMC is conveniently located in Oak Park, close to I-290 and the CTA Green Line. The Center is open Monday through Saturday. For more information about Zen Life & Meditation Center, please visit our new website at www.zlmc.org. To conduct interviews, please call Zen Master Robert Althouse at 708.445.1651.

 

 

 

 

   

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