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| Keido Fukushima Roshi (1932 - ) |
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 Keido Fukushima, is an international known Zen master and the Chief Abbot of the Tofukuji monastery in Kyoto, Japan. As Chief Abbot he also supervises more than 300 temples in the Tofukuji sect of Rinzai Zen Buddhism which dates back to the thirteenth-century Japan. Although based in Japan his influence can be found through out the world. Since 1989, Fukushima has made yearly trips to the United States giving lectures and teachings at various universities and institutes across the country. His influence on American Zen is well known having taught many famous American Zen teachers amongst them Jeff Shore and Grace Schireseon. Fukushima is also known as a master koan trainer and calligrapher. Koan is a story, dialogue, statement or question which generally contains aspects that are inaccessible to the rational mind, yet may be accessible to intuition. An example of a famous koan is "Two hands clap and there is a sound; what is the sound of one hand?" Fukushima is known as the Laughing Buddha, it is said that he is always smiling and he verges on either giggling or belly-rolling laughter. [1] With his penetrating insights he continues to awaken many disciples to an awareness to Zen. [2] Fukushima is quoted as having said, "Zen teaches us how to live by inquiring into and clarifying ourselves. This self-questioning is well suited to our contemporary ways of thinking. Rather than seeking salvation through an "other" or through grace, we achieve it on our own. Today, just as in the 1960s, plenty of people profess an interest in Zen. The real difference now is that more of them are willing to go through the practice and find out for themselves."[3] |
Date of Birth: 02 Jan, 1929
Location: Japan
State: Kyoto
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Views: 90
Summary
Little is known about Keido Fukushima's past, but he was born in 1929 in Japan. It is known that he became a monk at the age of 14 and trained under Okada Roshi and Zenkei Shibayama. [4] In 1969, at the age of 40, Keido Fukushima went to the United States to speak about Zen Buddhism. His trip was such a success that he would continue to return to the United States. In 1989, he started a tradition of going to America every year, staying as long as two and a half months.Excerpted from The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji : The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima (Spiritual Masters) by Ishwar C. Harris. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Roshi Keido Fukushima’s eyes glow with excitement as he narrates the story of the rebuilding of the Kin Zan temple complex. There is no doubt that this project is one of the great achievements of his life. The first thing to be constructed was a road in order that the people could come up the mountain by automobiles. Slowly the construction of the main complex began. The Buddhists of Koshu City began collecting money and the resources to aid in the project. In 1999, Tofukuji in Kyoto celebrated 750th memorial services for the master Bukkan and invited a large delegation of the Chinese Buddhists to attend. In May 2000, through the efforts of the Roshi, 270 Japanese Buddhists visited the Kin Zan temple together. Presently the construction of the main complex, including eight big halls, has been completed. Roshi Fukushima is pleased that some lay people are beginning to come to the temple for ceremonies. Although currently there is no resident priest there, there are ten monks who live there. The images of Sakyamuni, Bodhisattvas, and other deities are in the process of being enshrined. To the Roshi’s amazement, small villages and some shops are beginning to be visible in the vicinity. He sees that "as a good sign for the future of Kin Zan’s development." It was a momentous occasion for the Roshi when, on May 9, 1986, Prince Charles visited Tofukuji. He found the Prince to be "utterly charming and most delightful." Prince Charles was inquisitive and wanted to learn about the monastic life and sitting meditation. Roshi Fukushima seized the opportunity to give him a tour of the temple complex and also to tell him something about Zen. When the discussion centered on the monks, Prince Charles reportedly commented, "So they are training to have an empty mind, aren’t they?" The Roshi remembers, "I thought, this is the chance. I passionately explained to him that the heart of Zen is mushin. It is usually translated as ‘empty mind’ or ‘no mind’ but that is not enough. I told him that when our mind is empty, we can accept and react to anything freely. So it is more appropriate to say that mushin is free mind, fresh mind, and creative mind." As they walked toward the main Zen garden, the Prince saw about twenty Zen monks and students meditating. He exclaimed, "Oh, wonderful!" He asked the Roshi many questions about Zen, which the Roshi answered. As they reached a porch, the media asked them to pose for a picture. The Prince was concerned whether this was a place of meditation. With his sense of humor, Keido responded, "No Sir, this is where you get your pictures taken." Both had a hearty laugh. Prince Charles overstayed his designated length of visit by fifteen minutes and enjoyed his tour. As they pleasantly parted company, Roshi Fukushima remarked, "Please come again and let us do zazen together," to which the Prince responded, "That is a good idea."
References:
1. Harris, Ishwar C. (2004). The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima. World Wisdom, Inc.. ISBN 0941532623.
2. Fukushjima Keido - http://www.karlstraub.com/fukushima_keido.htm
3. Zen teaching to Mu - http://int.kateigaho.com/jan04/zen-mu.html
4. Zen Master Who?: A Guide to the People and Stories of Zen. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861715098. p.116-117
Related Links:
www.karlstraub.com/fukushima_keido.htm
int.kateigaho.com/jan04/zen-mu.html
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