Taigen Dan Leighton

Taigen Dan Leighton is a prominent contemporary figure in American Sōtō Zen Buddhism, known as a priest, teacher, academic, and author. He is an authorized lineage holder and Zen teacher within the tradition of Shunryū Suzuki, and the founder and Guiding Teacher of Ancient Dragon Zen Gate in Chicago, Illinois. Leighton also holds the designation of "kyōshi" (authorized teacher) in the Japanese Sōtō School.

Biography and Practice

Born in 1950 and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Leighton began his Zen practice in 1975 at the New York Zen Center under Kando Nakajima rōshi. He pursued higher education at Columbia University, earning a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies. After working as a television and film editor, he moved to California in 1978 and became a resident at the San Francisco Zen Center, engaging in practice at its various centers, including Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. He was ordained as a priest in 1986 by Reb Anderson and later served as shuso (head monk) at Tassajara.

Leighton lived in Japan from 1990 to 1992, where he translated Dōgen texts with Shōhaku Okumura and trained under various masters. Upon returning to California, he founded the Mountain Source Sangha in 1994. In 2000, he received shihō (Dharma transmission) from Reb Anderson. Leighton has taught at Loyola University Chicago and has been a faculty member at the Institute of Buddhist Studies since 1994, where he also earned his Ph.D.

Engaged Buddhism and Scholarship

Taigen Dan Leighton is recognized for his deep scholarship on Dōgen Zenji, particularly his translations and commentaries on Dōgen's writings. His notable works include "Just This Is It: Dongshan and the Practice of Suchness," "Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression," and "Visions of Awakening Space and Time: Dogen and the Lotus Sutra." He has also been instrumental in translating key Dōgen texts such as "Dogen's Extensive Record" and "Dogen's Pure Standards for the Zen Community."

Beyond his academic pursuits, Leighton has been a consistent advocate for engaged Buddhism. His peace activism dates back to his high school years and the anti-Vietnam War movement, and he was involved in protests at Columbia University. He actively participates in interfaith dialogue programs and leads Engaged Buddhist initiatives focused on social justice, environmentalism, and peace.

In 2007, Leighton relocated to Chicago to dedicate his full time to Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, which he had co-founded. He completed Zuisse ceremonies in Japan in 2008, solidifying his recognition by the Japanese Sōtō School. In 2019, he performed Dharma transmission ceremonies for his own Dharma heirs at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.