Albert Low
Albert Low (1928–2016) was a prominent Western Zen master, author, and former human resources executive. He was a recognized teacher in the Philip Kapleau lineage and resided in Montreal for many years, where he directed the Montreal Zen Center. Low authored numerous books, many of which explored the intersection of Zen Buddhism with creativity, management, and human nature.
Key Facts
- ›Born in London, England, in 1928 and died in Montreal, Canada, in 2016.
- ›Was a Western Zen master in the Philip Kapleau lineage, authorized to teach in 1986.
- ›Authored eleven books and contributed to three others, with many translated into multiple languages.
- ›Held a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and worked as a human resources executive before dedicating himself to Zen.
- ›Directed the Montreal Zen Center, counseling over two hundred students.
- ›Received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Queen's University in 2003.
Important Relationships
- Jean (wife)
- Anita (child)
- John (child)
- Stephen (child)
- Zen and Creative Management
- the Iron Cow of Zen
- Invitation To Practice Zen
- the Butterfly's Dream
- the World A Gateway: Commentaries On the Mumonkan
- To Know Yourself
- Creating Consciousness
- Zen and the Sutras
- Hakuin Zenji's Chant In Praise of Zazen
- Hakuin On Kensho
- the Origin of Human Nature, A Zen Buddhist Looks At Evolution
- Conflict and Creativity At Work, Human Roots of Corporate Life
- What Am I? the Heart Sutra For Everyone
- What More Do You Want? Zen Questions, Zen Answers
Montreal, London, South Africa, Canada, England, Rochester Zen Center, Montreal Zen Center
Philip Kapleau, Haku'Un Yasutani
English
About Albert Low
Albert Low (1928–2016)
Albert William Low was a prominent Western Zen master, an internationally published author, and a former human resources executive. He is recognized within the Philip Kapleau lineage of Zen Buddhism and spent his later years residing in Montreal, Canada, where he directed the Montreal Zen Center.
Biography and Career
Born in London, England, in 1928, Low served in the Royal Navy before emigrating to South Africa in 1954. He held a senior executive position in human resources, where he developed theories on creativity and management, which later formed the basis of his book "Zen and Creative Management." Disagreeing with the apartheid policies, he moved to Canada in 1963, continuing his career in human resources.
Low's interest in Zen Buddhism began in 1955. He formally began practicing Zen in 1966 under the Japanese Zen Master Haku'un Yasutani, and subsequently practiced for twenty years with Philip Kapleau. In 1976, he resigned from his executive role and spent three years at the Rochester Zen Center, serving as editor of its journal. He was authorized to teach as a Zen master by Kapleau in 1986.
Contributions and Legacy
Albert Low was a prolific writer, authoring eleven books and contributing to others. His works often explored the intersection of Zen practice with management, creativity, human nature, and evolutionary theory. Many of his books have been translated into multiple languages. He also translated works from French to English, including texts by Hubert Benoit and Thich Nhat Hanh. As the rōshi and director of the Montreal Zen Center, he guided over two hundred students, offering spiritual and psychological counseling. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Queen's University in 2003 for his scholastic achievements and community service. Albert Low died in Montreal in 2016.
Selected Works
- The Iron Cow of Zen (1984)
- Invitation To Practice Zen (1989)
- Zen and Creative Management (1992)
- The World A Gateway: Commentaries on the Mumonkan (1995)
- To Know Yourself (1997)
- Creating Consciousness (2001)
- Zen and the Sutras (2000)
- The Origin of Human Nature, A Zen Buddhist Looks at Evolution (2008)
- Conflict and Creativity at Work, Human Roots of Corporate Life (2008)
- What am I? The Heart Sutra for Everyone (2010)
- What More Do You Want? Zen Questions, Zen Answers (2013)
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Albert Low?
Albert Low was a respected Western Zen master, author, and former human resources executive. He was a teacher in the Philip Kapleau lineage and spent many years in Montreal, Canada, where he led the Montreal Zen Center.
What is Albert Low known for?
Albert Low is known for his extensive writings on Zen Buddhism, often exploring its connection to creativity, management, and human nature. He authored eleven books and was a recognized Zen master who taught and counseled students at the Montreal Zen Center.
What was Albert Low's background before becoming a Zen master?
Before dedicating himself to Zen practice and teaching, Albert Low had a career as a human resources executive. He held a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and developed theories on creativity, organization, and management, which he later integrated into his Zen teachings and writings.
When and where did Albert Low live and practice Zen?
Albert Low was born in London, England, in 1928 and lived in various countries including South Africa, Canada, and the United States. He settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1979, where he lived and taught until his death in 2016. He began practicing Zen in 1955 and trained with masters Haku'un Yasutani and Philip Kapleau.
What are some of Albert Low's notable works?
Notable works by Albert Low include 'Zen and Creative Management,' 'The World A Gateway: Commentaries on the Mumonkan,' 'The Origin of Human Nature: a Zen Buddhist Looks at Evolution,' and 'What More Do You Want? Zen Questions, Zen Answers.' Many of his books have been translated into multiple languages.
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