HOW TO PRACTICE ZAZEN ?
By Gudo Nishijima
Master Nishijima has been practicing Buddhism for more than sixty years. He was a student of Master Kodo Sawaki, an itinerant priest famous for his efforts to restore Zazen to its rightful place at the center of Buddhism.
Master Nishijima was ordained as a priest by the late Master Rempo Niwa, formerly head of the Soto Sect, and has written many books on Buddhism in both Japanese and in English. For over twenty years, he has been giving instructions on Zazen and lectures in English.
A Brief Personal History – Biography
- 1919: Born in Yokohama
- 1940: Met Master Kodo Sawaki and began to study Buddhism under him.
- 1946: Graduated from Tokyo University, majoring in Law.
- 1947: Entered the Ministry of Finance
- 1950: Left the Ministry of Finance to become a manager of Japan Securities Finance Co.
- 1973: Ordained as a Buddhist priest by the late Master Rempo Niwa, former Head Abbot of Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto Sect.
- 1975: Became internal auditor of Japan Securities Finance Co.
- 1977: Received the Transmission of the Dharma from the late Master Rempo Niwa.
- 1979: Became Advisor of Ida Ryogokudo Co. after retiring from Japan Securities Finance Co.
Master Nishijima has been working for the promotion of Buddhism for over forty years. For four decades he gave regular lectures and instructions on Zazen practice in various places. His regular lectures were given both in English and in Japanese. He also gave lectures in Japanese at the Eastern Institute and the Asahi Culture Center in Tokyo, and at Matsushita Electric Co. in Osaka.
In 2005, he retired from lecturing and now devotes his time to his writing, particularly his on-going translation of Master Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Song of the Middle Way. He also publishes a blog about Buddhism and current events in Japanese .
Source www.dogensangha.org
