Dainin Katagiri
Jikai Dainin Katagiri was a Sōtō Zen priest and teacher who played a significant role in bringing Zen Buddhism from Japan to the United States. He is best known as the founding abbot of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and the founder of Hokyoji Zen Practice Community, establishing these centers during the formative years of Zen in America. Katagiri also served as an interim abbot for the San Francisco Zen Center.
Key Facts
- ›Born in Osaka, Japan, on January 19, 1928.
- ›Ordained as a monk and named a Dharma heir by Daicho Hayashi.
- ›Studied at Eiheiji and Komazawa University in Japan.
- ›Sent to the United States in 1963 to serve at the Zenshuji Soto Zen Mission in Los Angeles.
- ›Became the founding abbot of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in 1972.
- ›Died on March 1, 1990, from cancer, leaving thirteen Dharma heirs.
Important Relationships
- Shunryu Suzuki
- Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
- Hokyoji Zen Practice Community
- San Francisco Zen Center
- Zenshuji Soto Zen Mission
- Sokoji Soto Zen Mission
- Tomoe Katagiri
- Yasuhiko Katagiri
- Ejyo Katagiri
- Returning To Silence: Zen Practice In Daily Life
- You Have To Say Something: Manifesting Zen Insight
- Katagiri Roshi : Buddhist Lay Ordination Lectures
- Each Moment Is the Universe: Zen and the Way of Being Time
- the Light That Shines Through Infinity: Zen and the Energy of Life
Osaka, Japan, Fukui, Japan, Eiheiji, Japan, Komazawa University, Tokyo, Japan, Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Monterey, California, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Eitzen, Minnesota, Zuio-Ji, Japan
Daicho Hayashi, Eko Hashimoto, Shunryu Suzuki
English, Japanese
Ordained Monk
About Dainin Katagiri
Jikai Dainin Katagiri: A Pioneer of Zen in America
Dainin Katagiri (1928–1990) was a Sōtō Zen priest and teacher who played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of Zen Buddhism in the United States. Born in Osaka, Japan, he was ordained as a monk and later sent to America in 1963 to serve the Sōtō Zen mission.
Life and Ministry
Katagiri's early years in the United States saw him serving in Los Angeles and then providing crucial assistance to Shunryu Suzuki at the San Francisco Zen Center, particularly from 1969 until Suzuki's passing in 1971. Recognizing a need for Buddhist teachers in less-served regions, Katagiri relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1972. There, he became the founding abbot of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, a role he held until his death. He also established the Hokyoji Zen Practice Community, a rural retreat center in southeastern Minnesota, fostering a space for deeper Zen practice.
Teachings and Legacy
Katagiri was instrumental in bringing Zen Buddhism from Japan to the American landscape during its formative years. He authored several books, often compiled from his talks, which continue to guide practitioners. His teachings emphasized attentiveness and encouraged students to cultivate their own inner wisdom. Upon his death from cancer in 1990, he left behind thirteen Dharma heirs, signifying the continuation of his lineage and influence.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Dainin Katagiri born?
Dainin Katagiri was born in Osaka, Japan, on January 19, 1928.
What was Dainin Katagiri's role in bringing Zen to the United States?
Katagiri was instrumental in helping to establish Zen Buddhism in the United States during its early development. He served at missions in Los Angeles and San Francisco before founding centers in Minnesota.
What Zen centers did Dainin Katagiri found or lead?
He was the founding abbot of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis, serving from 1972 until his death. He also founded the Hokyoji Zen Practice Community in Eitzen, Minnesota, and served as interim abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center from 1984 to 1985.
What is Dainin Katagiri known for regarding his teachings?
Katagiri is credited as the author of several books compiled from his talks, sharing his insights on Zen practice in daily life and the nature of reality. He encouraged his students to rely on their own wisdom.
What was Dainin Katagiri's relationship with Shunryu Suzuki?
Katagiri assisted Shunryu Suzuki at the Sokoji Soto Zen Mission in San Francisco and was of great help to Suzuki and the San Francisco Zen Center, particularly from 1969 until Suzuki's death in 1971.
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