Dear friends, meditation friends, T’ai Chi friends,
Joshu Sasaki Roshi passed away last Sunday, July 27, at 4:25 pm in Los Angeles.
I studied with him in week-long retreats (Dai-sesshin) since 1987.
Roshi remains in my heart and spirit always. With deep gratitude my practice continues. He continues to be my teacher.
His mixed legacy in relationship to women and the suffering that has caused is painful on all sides. That he was an authentic teacher with complete, spacious presence was my experience.
Roshi was a man, and we don’t believe in living gods or perfect beings.… He was a rich and complicated man, and as a community we’re still working through many issues and reaching out to the people who were harmed,
…. Gento Krieger of Mt. Baldy Zen Center.
The news of Roshi’s death arrived at Rinzai-ji during sesshin. We broke schedule to travel with others to the hospital and there chanted with Roshi for a last time. Like Roshi himself, the chanting was clear, powerful, and full of love.
….. announcement from Rinzai-ji
The reverberations continue.
I am happy that Roshi had students with him who cared for and loved him.
With nine deep bows,
Laura
For more information about Joshu Sasaki Roshi:
Rinzai-ji
LA Times Obituary
Sasaki Archive
