The Shimano Archive
嶋野 栄道 老師 アーカイブ

11/10/83

New York Newsday

Exorcising a Corporate Demon

Shimano performs an exorcism of the TDK Corporation facility in Port Washington, New York.

“But at TDK Corp., a series of misfortunes during the past few months has produced a superstitious fear among the 150 employees… And some believe the headquarters building is inhabited by demons.”

“At yesterday’s ceremony, the priest said he was welcoming friendly spirits to take the place of evil forces clinging to the building and its land.  As the smoke of burning incense swirled against the backdrop of TDK’s modern architecture, Eido T. Shimano, abbot of the Zen Studies Society in New York, ordered the 24 employees gathered about him to pray.”

“ ‘Your mindfulness and intensity are critical to the purification,’ said the priest, his head freshly shaven and his body clad in layers of white and black robes.  ‘Your intensity will erase bad memories.’ ”

“Ordering the employees to repeat his words, to clap and bow to Buddha, Shimano faced the building as he looked to the heavens and chanted.”

“Not all workers appreciated the event, which was nearly identical to a ceremony performed two years ago when the building first opened.  ‘Can you believe they’re doing this?’ said one employee on the maintenance crew.”

11/20/83

Letter from Shimano to "Dear Friends."

"We hope this letter finds you in good health and fine spirit.

This is to inform you that we have moved into a cooperative apartment across the street. Our new address is:

333 East 69th St. Apt.4K New York, NY 10021

Tel.# 212-772-7733

We hope we can see you soon again and hope that you will have a wonderful holiday season."

"P.S. it goes without saying that New York Zendo and Dai Bosatsu Zendo are imperturbable."

12/21/83

Letter from Shimano to the ZSS Board of Directors.

"But the time has come for us to simplify our lives so that we don't have to worry about possible burglary while both of us are at Dai Bosatsu or elsewhere."

Letter is signed by Eido and Yasuko and bears his chop (seal).

12/21/83

Minutes of ZSS Board of Trustees Meeting.

12/21/83

ZSS Board of Trustees Resolution.

“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that beginning January 1, 1984 three executive committees will be created to direct the activities of the Zen Studies Society. The purpose of creating these committees is two fold. First is to affirm what has already taken place, namely that the Zen Studies Society has been operating - For a number of years as if three independent branches existed. The second purpose is to allow these branches to grow and mature independently of each other so that they may more fully realize their respective goals.

THE PURPOSE AND DIRECTION OF EACH COMMITTEE:

THE CARLSON FUND, created from the present Zen Studies Society account with the addition of the revenue obtained by the sale of the 69th street house, will support educational activities to promote the understanding and practice of Zen Buddhism in the Western World.”

00/00/84
★

Blind Donkey, the Newsletter of Honolulu Diamond Sangha.

“Baker Roshi had an affair with a resident student last spring”

“Widespread stories of exploitation of students, particularly women, have been repeated about the abbot of the Zen Studies Society of New York for many years. Recently, the abbot of the Zen Center of Los Angeles spent five weeks in intensive treatment of alcoholism, a condition that reportedly accompanied a number of abuses of his authority.”

“How with scandals about the teachers in these centers being made public, many people are asking, ‘How could So-and So do zazen for twenty or thirty years and still violate the spirit of the precepts in such a flagrant way?’ ‘Wasn't his character obvious to his teacher?’ ‘What does transmission of the Dharma mean, after all?’ I want to face these questions squarely.”

“I think that it leads us back to zazen and to the old guidelines that have been neglected: the precepts, the paramitas, and the eight-fold path. It leads us to measures that will permit the Sangha to be responsible for its own governance. It leads us to establish forums that will guarantee open communication.”

“This means taking care of ourselves and being forthright with our teachers. Our responsibilities also extend to our sisters and brothers who are suffering the trauma of betrayal.”

(See entry of no date.)

00/00/84
★

Excerpts from
Remembering Soen Roshi
from the book
Original Dwelling Place: Zen Buddhist Essays

1996, Counterpoint, Berkeley, California

“Soen Roshi continued to be faithful to Eido Shimano over the years that followed. His initial belief that Shimano understood him and his imperative to find a successor with at least half an eye apparently kept his confidence unshaken, until the crisis created by allegations of sexual abuse at the New York Zen Studies Society erupted in 1975. Moreover, his confidence seemed renewed in some limited degree from time to time even after that, almost until the end of his life.”

 “Soen Roshi's loyalty to his disciple under trying circumstances can be compared with the action of his ancestor, Torei Zenji, who, I have heard, disowned and defrocked his successor for a major violation of trust in connection with the rebuilding of Ryutakuji after a fire. I sense that Torei felt the monk had violated the Dharma and that this betrayal was serious enough for him to set aside the tradition of personal loyalty to one's student. Otherwise, Torei's own teaching of accepting abuse could be called into question.”

“From afar, I always wondered if Soen Roshi's extended private retreats in his later years were related to a sense of betrayal by Shimano. His life and his commitments must have seemed to him to be unfulfilled. All the time I knew him, zazen was the way he restored himself, and he believed in the power of one's own zazen to restore others. But zazen in retreat cannot influence others unless they are open to influence.”

01/01/84

ZSS Board of Trustees Report.

01/21/84

Letter from Korin Sylvan Busch as Board President, to the Shimanos.

01/31/84
★

Letter from Leslie Savan to Robert Aitken.

02/08/84

Letter from Mrs. Chester F. Carlson to Jean Bankier.

"it was my wish that the property at 356 East 69th Street should not be sold"

"It was never my intention to make a gift of $160,000 to the Roshi (老師)."

"the proceeds of the sale should be returned to me, The Chester and Dorris Carlson Charitable Trust"

"Very simply, I want it clearly understood that I do not authorize the sale of the property"

"an atmosphere and behavior inconsistent with Zen teachings has taken place in and around The Zen Studies Society."

(See her letter of 10/21/74 )

"Indeed, I do not share that same confidence in him [Shimano 嶋野] that I once did and this is because so many reliable sources have reported to me that the spiritual stature of the Zen Studies Society has been compromised over the years because of Eido Roshi's (嶋野)behavior."

02/08/84

ミセス　チェスター F.　カールソンよりジーン　バンキエへの手紙

私が考えていたことの一部として、これは私の希望ですが、３５６東６９街の不動産は売却すべきものではなく、栄道老師と彼の妻の住居として保持すべきものでした。

私は老師へ１６万ドルの贈り物をしたつもりは全くありません。もし、３５６東６９街の不動産が売れたら（これは私の希望に反し、贈与の最初の目的ではない）この収益は私の贈り物に対する原案に従って処理すること、つまり、私、チェスター アンド ドリスカールソン慈善財団へ返済すべきです。この収益の一部たりとも、老師へ与える事は私の原案に反し、事実上此の結果、当初行われた贈与の立場も危うくするかもしれません。

の手紙で私は“栄道師の霊的崇高さに報いるという唯一の理由で私は惜しまずニューヨーク禅教団へ基金を与えます。彼の為でなかったら私はいささかの関心もないのです。”と述べました。実のところ、今ではあの時ような自信はなく、この変化の原因はといえば、信頼できる筋よりの報告によれば、栄道老師の長年にわたる不品行のため禅教団の霊的崇高さはすっかり失われてしまったからです。

02/17/84

Letter from Korin Sylvan Busch to Mrs. Chester F. Carlson.

“At the time of the Board's meeting we were gratified to note from the December 21st letter that in a conversation with the Roshi (嶋野) on September 19th, 1983, you had agreed to the idea of selling the townhouse.  In view thereof, your letter of February 8th came as a complete surprise.”

02/17/84

コリン　シルヴァン　ブッシュよりミセス　チェスター　F.　カールソンへの手紙

10/15/82
★

Letter from Robert Aitken to Soen Nakagawa.

"I furnished Dr. Ogura with the names and addressee of two of the three psychiatrists who treated the two women who had mental breakdowns in 1964. I gave him the name of the third psychiatrist who has moved away from Hawaii, doubtless he can find his address from a medical directory. I did not provide Dr. Ogura with any more information except to observe that Eido Rōshi's (嶋野 栄道) departure from Hawaii was directly linked to the breakdowns of the two women. I hear now that Dr. Ogura has not been able to proceed with the investigation for reasons connected to disorganization in the Zen Studies Society"

02/29/84

Letter from Board Member David Leddick to Korin Sylvan Busch.

"The Carlson fund could then pay the Roshi (嶋野) perhaps a salary of about $3,000 monthly, and the apartment maintenance of $500 monthly, and as we discussed perhaps it would be good to pay Aiho (愛法) [Yasuko Shimano (嶋野)] $500 or more monthly as the Zen Studies Society bookkeeper."

"as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of The Carlson Fund Committee I have some concern that the sale of the house and the use of the money be accepted by Mrs. Carlson"

"And legal or not, I don't think we can ignore the difficulty we could be in should there be legal process with her [Mrs. Carlson's] wealth and power behind it."

"she [Mrs. Carlson] could cause many problems if she is determined"

"The Society's lawyer, Jack Clareman, told me today that he in fact has never seen any document relating to the original [Carlson] endowment"

[Chester F. Carlson was the inventor of xerography.]

03/00/84

Letter from Korin Sylvan Busch as Board President, to the Shimanos.

(See entry of 03/01/85)

03/06/84

Letter from Mrs. Chester F. Carlson to Korin Sylvan Busch.

Dorris Carlson was the wife of Chester F. Carlson, the inventor of xerography.

"You placed great emphasis (and total confidence) in the Roshi’s (老師) reported conversation with me on September 19, that I had agreed to the idea of selling the townhouse and therefore having done that, agreed to the whole scheme of things which ultimately provides for a significant benefit to the Roshi (老師) and his wife. September 19, as you know is the anniversary of Chester Carlson's passing. But it should not be the anniversary of a Roshi's [Shimano's 嶋野] deception. I did not approve of the plan that he ultimately announced in the December 21 letter." 

"Do not create a 'Carlson fund' as I will determine how the money shall be used in keeping with the original intentions I had in 1974. And further, under the present circumstances, I do not want the Carlson name used by the Zen Studies Society in any manner. I shall await the reply from the Board of Directors."

03/06/84

ミセス チェスター　F. 　カールソンよりコリン　シルヴァン　ブッシュへの手紙　

貴方は９月１９日の老師によってつたえられた私との会話、つまり、私がタウンハウスを売ること、これにともなう一切の処理、そして此の結果老師と彼の妻は相当な利益を得ることになるという一連の取引に賛成したという報告を受けて、これを重用視（完全に信用して）おられるようです。９月１９日 は貴方もご存知のように、チェスター カールソンの忌日です。

老師のペテンの記念日であってはならないのです。

私は１２月２１日の手紙で彼が最終案として告げてきた計画は認可しません。

１９７４年の初志を保つべく、どのように金を使うかは私が決定することで、勝ってに、カールソン財団を利用しないでください。

さらに、現状において、禅教団はカールソンの名を、いかなる状況においても使わないでください。

理事会からの返事を待っています。

VIDEO



VIDEO

"I do not want the Carlson name used by the Zen Studies Society in any manner."

Chester F. Carlson graduated from Caltech 1930 with a degree in physics. He obtained employment at Bell Laboratories and went on to work for a patent attorney and for Mallory Battery company (now Duracell).

At Mallory, he developed the concepts that were to serve as the basis for the electrophotography technique (xerography). By 1937, he filed his first patent; it was expanded and approved in 1942.  (U.S. Patent 2,297,691)

In October 1938, he successfully produced first xerographic copy. In 1944, Carlson was able to interest the Battelle Institute to work on developing a commercial application. Eventually, Haloid (later to become Xerox) was licensed to manufacture copy machines. The first ones came out in 1946.

Chester Carlson died of a heart attack in 1968; at age 62. He donated much of his royalties to science, civil rights causes, paranormal investigation and world peace. His wife and widow, Dorris, continued his philanthropy through the Chester and Dorris Carlson Charitable Trust. She passed away in 1998 at age 94.

(See prior entry and entry of 06/00/98)

03/13/84

Minutes of ZSS Board of Trustees Meeting.

"Eido Roshi (嶋野) opened the meeting, saying that Nakagawa Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) had passed away Sunday, March 11." 

"In re the difficulties between himself and Dorris Carlson, Eido Roshi (嶋野) said that however the board decided to handle the matter would be agreeable to him. He then turned the meeting over to Korin Sylvan Busch."

"Korin reviewed the correspondence with Dorris Carlson. He said her chief misapprehension seemed to be

1.) that Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) would be paid for the apartment at 333 East 69 St. and it would become his;

2.) that there would be a survivors' pension; and

3.) that a gift would be made to Aiho (愛法) --whereas it is the board's intention 1.) that the apartment be the official 'parsonage' and property of The Zen Studies Society; 2.) that there would be no material benefit to the Shimanos from the funds realized, and subsequently invested, from the sale; and

3.) that Aiho (愛法) be given not a gift (as was suggested at the meeting of December 21 and which our counsel has since advised would be illegal) but a modest salary for her ongoing work as treasurer for The Zen Studies Society and N.Y. Zendo."

03/27/84

Letter from Korin Sylvan Busch to Mrs. Chester F. Carlson.

“I’m sorry if my letter of February 17th was not sufficiently explicit about our legal intentions regarding the sale of our present parsonage, the townhouse.”

“The Roshi’s (老師) and Yasuko’s tenure and relationship to the new apartment continues as it has in the townhouse, and if for any reason they vacate the apartment, being the property of the Society, we would be obliged to sell it. All proceeds from a sale would belong to the Zen Studies Society. There will be no so called ‘survivors pension’ or gift to anyone.”

 “I am sorry that you prefer us not to use the Carlson name, We will, of course, abide by your wishes although our intention was to honor Chester and yourself.”

03/27/84

コリン　シルヴァン　ブッシュよりミセス　チェスター　F.　カールソンへの手紙

”老師とやす子の保有権と新しいアパートメントとの関係は、これ迄のタウンハウスにおける関係と同様で、もし何らかの事情で彼らがアパートメントを立ち退くならば、私達はこのアパートメントの売却を余儀なくされるでしょう。　この売却によるすべての収益は禅スタデイ　ソサイエテイのものとなります。　遺族への年金、贈呈なるものはありません。”

”以後私達は、カールソンの名前を使わないようにとの事、勿論その通りに致しますが、私達の目的は、チェスターと貴女自身の名誉のためなのです。

04/09/84

Public Record ZSS Townhouse - 356 East 69th Street, NYC, NY.

"THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY INC., a New York Not-For-Profit corporation..."

04/14/84

ZSS Financial Report.

05/21/84
★

Sōen Nakagawa Death Announced by Shimano.

(Sōen died 03/11/84)

"His five Dharma heirs (all of them Japanese) were invited and attended, along with many others."

"at this point I feel it is most proper if we consider Sōen Rōshi (中川 宋淵) as the founder and Nyogen Senzaki (千崎如幻) as the 'karmic' founder."

(See entry: Press Release of 10/19/82 )

"I want to invite you to participate in the creation of a memorial — called the Founders Fund"

05/31/84

Letter to Zen Studies Society Endowment Fund Committee from David Leddick.

“the parsonage house was sold for $785,00.00.  And after fees, taxes and commissions there was a balance of $735,599.00  This was placed in the Shearson AmEx account, and from this account $160,000.00 was refunded to Eido Roshi Shimano (嶋野 栄道) for expenses in purchasing another parsonage apartment.” 

“I think we must meet to discuss this situation immediately.  It should be very clear that the Endowment Fund is not the Business Manager for the Zen Studies Society. It only is designed to provide income, not administrate it. And the administration of Society funds doesn't seem to be very realistically related to its income from the Endowment Fund.”

07/16/84
★

Letter from Robert Aitken to Brother David.

"I note with some discomfort that you are appearing on the same podium with Shimano (嶋野) at Naropa. Would you do this with a Christian priest with the same reputation?"

07/16/84

Sketches of Stone Memorial at DBZ Cemetery.

07/16/84
★

Letter from Brian Baron to Koun Yamada.

08/03/84
★

Excerpts of Letter from Paul Shepard to Brian Baron.

"The critical point is whether or not Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) withdrew Inka."

08/16/84
★

Handwritten (Draft?) Letter from Robert Aitken to Kyudo Nakagawa.

"Eido Rōshi (嶋野 栄道) implies in his signed article in Four Seasons that Sōen Rōshi (中川 宋淵) was alcoholic and demented in his last years."

“At this time, there is a pervasive rumor that Sōen Rōshi (中川 宋淵) withdrew and cancelled Eido Rōshi’s (嶋野 栄道) inka shomei shortly before he died.”

"His meaning would also be that Sōen Rōshi (中川 宋淵) was not responsible for his own actions and that therefore Sōen Rōshi's (中川 宋淵) withdrawing his inka should be disregarded."

Video produced circa 2003.

Harry McCormick talking with Shimano (嶋野) about Sōen Nakagawa, Rōshi (中川 宋淵) at New York Zendo Shoboji garden zendo.

January 10, 2003

08/17/84
★

Handwritten Letter (Draft?) from Robert Aitken to Sochu Suzuki.

"In brief, these statements are to the effect that in his last years Sōen Rōshi (中川 宋淵) was an alcoholic and not in his right mind; "

"As you know, Zen Buddhism has fallen into disrepute in the United States, with many scandals at various centers, beginning at the New York Zen Studies Society."

08/17/84
★

Letter from Robert Aitken to Koun Yamada.

"I am not emotionally involved in this issue; I dismissed Shimano (嶋野) from my mind many years ago. However, as a Zen leader, it is my responsibility to know the facts in such an important matter, particularly in view of the general problem of scandals in Zen centers in this country."

"The various scandals have affected many people, resulting in emotional disturbance, even mental collapse in some cases."

11/20/84
★

Letter from Robert Aitken to Rosemary Kiefer.

"At the funeral for Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵), Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) was shown to a seat in a section for other former monks of Ryutakuji (龍沢寺) but not, to a seat in a section for Dharma heirs of Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) and other Roshis. I was told that this was a clear signal that he is not considered a Roshi (老師) by his Japanese colleagues."

"Eido Shimano was given a portion of Soen Roshi's (中川 宋淵) ashes to take with him back to the United States. I was told that this was not intended in any way as an endorsement of Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) and his work, but rather a recognition of the deep investment in transmitting Zen to the West which Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) made over many decades."

"Eido Shimano requested a kesa of Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) and this request was denied.

However, it seems that he returned to the United States with one of Soen Roshi's (中川 宋淵) white robes."

"So, any transmission given to Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) by Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) was informal, and any withdrawal of that transmission would also have been informal. Neither action was ever mentioned at Ryutakuji (龍沢寺) by Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵). Confirmation of the rumor that the informal transmission was withdrawn should thus be made in New York."

11/20/84

ロバート　エイトケン　よりローズマリー　キーフアー宛の書簡

そうえん老師の葬式に島野栄道は龍沢寺の往時の僧たちの席を与えられ正式な法継者や他の老師方の席はあたえられなかった。聞くところによればこれは日本においては老師と見なされていないはっきりした証拠であるとのことであります

島野栄道はそうえん老師の遺骨の１部を頂きアメリカへ持ち帰りました。聞く所によれば、これは島野栄道に対する是認でも、彼の功績をたたえるものでもなく、そうえん老師自身の長年の大菩薩禅堂との関わりは老師にとって思いで深い大切な禅堂なので、遺骨をここにおさめたいとの希望のためだということです。

島野栄道はそうえん老師の袈裟を要求したが退けられました。しかしそうえん老師の白い着物をアメリカへ持ち帰ったそうです。

という訳で島野栄道がそうえん老師より授けられた伝法は非公式、伝法の撤回も非公式です。龍沢寺においてそうえん老師によってなされた一切の言動も非公式というわけです。流言を実証するのですが非公式の伝法はニューヨークでも撤回が行われるべきでしょう。

11/20/84

Brief von Robert Aitken an Rosemary Kiefer.

Dieses Dokument stellt die Anerkennung der Dharma-Übertragung Shimanos (嶋野) seitens der Japaner in Frage.

Bei der Beerdigung von Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) wurde Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) zu einem Sitzplatz geführt, der sich in einem Teil für andere ehemalige Mönche Ryutakujis (龍沢寺) befand und nicht zu einem Sitzplatz in einem Teil für Dharma-Nachfolger Soen Roshis (中川 宋淵) und andere Roshis. Mir wurde gesagt, dass dies ein klares Signal war, dass er von seinen japanischen Kollegen nicht als Roshi (老師) betrachtet wird.

Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) wurde ein Teil der Asche Soen Roshis (中川 宋淵) gegeben, um sie mit sich zurück in die Vereinigten Staaten zu bringen. Mir wurde gesagt, dass dies in keiner Weise als Billigung Eido Shimanos (嶋野 栄道) oder seiner Arbeit gemeint war, sondern als Anerkennung des tiefen Engagements Soen Roshis (中川 宋淵) über mehrere Jahrzehnte, den Dharma in den Westen zu übertragen. Der Eindruck wurde geäußert, dass das Daibosatsu Center sehr bedeutsam für Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) war und dass er möglicherweise froh ist, dass ein Teil seiner Asche dort beigelegt ist.

Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) hat um einen Kesa Soen Roshis (中川 宋淵) gebeten, und diese Bitte wurde verweigert. Es scheint jedoch, als ob er mit einer von Soen Roshis (中川 宋淵) weißen Roben in die Vereinigten Staaten zurückgekehrt sei.

Eine etwaige Dharma-Übertragung an Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) durch Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) war also informell und eine etwaige Zurücknahme dieser Übertragung wäre ebenfalls informell gewesen. Weder die eine noch die andere Tat wurde jemals von Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) im Ryutakuji (龍沢寺) erwähnt. Eine Bestätigung des Gerüchts, dass die informelle Übertragung zurückgezogen wurde, sollte dementsprechend in New York gemacht werden.

12/18/84

Minutes of ZSS Board of Trustees Meeting.

NY Zendo Committee mentioned. 

“He [Genro Lee Milton] stated that the 11 members of the NYZ committee had been elected by the sangha, since which time two members have dropped out. After some discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was resolved that the NYZ committee should be and was empowered to retain the members now serving on the committee and to fill vacancies as they occur without consulting the sangha.”

Zen Arts profit:  $6,441.11

“He [Bugyo David Schnyer] said that there has been a decrease in kessei, workshop and sesshin attendance; and no logging was done last year.” 

“Stating that the new gatekeeper [Jim Woolcott] had proved to be very satisfactory, Mr. Schnyer requested approval by the board to offer him a five-year lease. This approval was unanimously granted.”

“Mr. Spitz stated his opinion that the board should have been given an opportunity to discuss the sale of the first apartment and the purchase of a second apartment. Mr. Leddick said that henceforth copies of memorandums concerning the ZSS Endowment Fund will be circulated to board members.”

“For the ZSS -Endowment Fund, Mr. Leddick reviewed the financial consequences of the sale of the parsonage house at 269 [actually 356] East 69 St., the purchase of the parsonage apartment 4K at 333 East 69 St., and the investment of profits to provide interest income. He stated that expenses occurring in connection with the death of Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) had required the redemption of some holdings. Recently, an opportunity had arisen to purchase a more suitable parsonage apartment 3J at 333 East 69 St., for $385,000, necessitating a further redemption of notes. The first parsonage apartment, 4K, had been put up for sale, and a serious offer to buy it for $190,000 had been received and accepted. After payment of a broker's fee, $178,600 will remain to be invested as before.”

12/20/84

Letter from Board Member David Leddick to The Zen Studies Society Endowment Fund Committee.

03/01/85

Letter from Korin Sylvan Busch as Board President, to the Shimanos. Signed Apartment Ownership Document.

"Reference is made to the letter between you and Sylvan Busch dated March, 1984 (the 'Parsonage Agreement')" (Concerning the disposition of the Townhouse issue.)

Apartment 3J purchased.

“The capital stock and the proprietary lease covering the apartment will be In the individual names of you and your wife, it is understood that The Zen Studies Society shall be decreed the actual owner of the apartment.”

“The Zen Studies Society shall have the right to offer the apartment for sale by you and your wife or by your wife alone should you predecease her, when you and your wife vacate it.”

“The net proceeds derived from the sale of apartment shall become the sole property of The Zen Studies Society.”

This document is signed by the Shimanos (嶋野).

(See entry of 03/00/84)

03/12/85

ZSS Townhouse Parsonage Sale Report.

Listed under sale expenses:

"Kongoji Car ..................... $ 18,000.00"

07/04/85

Minutes of a Special ZSS Board of Trustees Meeting.

11/30/85
★

00/00/86
★

DBZ Publicity Brochure 1986.

“As a new monk, I did not know why Nyogen Senzaki (千崎 如幻) had come to Japan.  I did not even know who he was.” 

 "Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji was formally dedicated on July 4, 1976, America's Bicentennial. From the start it has been a lay monastery dedicated to the vital tradition of Rinzai Zen."

“..again at the request of his teacher that he teach in America-he arrived in Hawaii in 1960. He studied at the University of Hawaii and led a small group of students who practiced Zen. He wondered if he should proceed to Los Angeles or return to Japan; he did not feel confident that Nyogen Senzaki's (千崎 如幻) students would find him adequate. Some friends encouraged him to come to New York; he arrived in New York in 1964.

“Master Hakuin, exhorting his students in seventeenth century Japan, said, "There are two kinds of bodhisattvas: some transmit the Buddha Dharma, others protect the Buddha Dharma …When they are not in harmony, the Dharma light will not shine brightly. Transmission of the Dharma and protection of the Dharma are equally important."

 “Dai Bosatsu Zendo was created as a lay monastery, receptive to the spiritual needs of those who find in Zen a congenial practice. To fulfill this function, Dai Bosatsu Zendo must continue its tradition of a strong practice even as it seeks to participate in the culture of America.”

“Dai Bosatsu Zendo has been entrusted with the care of the writings and calligraphy of Zen teachers whose lives are connected with our history. The manuscripts of Nyogen Senzaki (千崎 如幻), the calligraphy of Hakuin Zenji (白隠 慧鶴), Gempo Roshi (山本玄峰), Yasutani Roshi (安谷 白雲) and Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵), the documents and records pertinent to the beginnings of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, are stored today in boxes and files. We plan to create an Archives within the monastery building where the public, as well as scholars, can have access to them.”

“It was the beginning of a deep bond that included, in time, one of Soen Roshi's (中川 宋淵) students, Eido Tai Shimano (嶋野 栄道). When Nyogen Senzaki (千崎 如幻) visited Japan in 1956-his only homecoming in more than half a century-it was to return a visit Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) had made to Los Angeles in 1949.”

01/21/86

Minutes of ZSS Board of Trustees Annual Meeting.

“Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) said that Sasaki Roshi (佐々木承周) of Los Angeles and the Reverend Takabayashi of Seattle will attend sesshin full-time; and that Trungpa Rinpoche plans to attend the ending ceremony.”

(Genki Takabayashi is not referred to as "Roshi" (老師))

01/27/86

Letter from Bugyo David Schnyer to Shimano, copied to the ZSS Board of Directors.

"I find your recent decision to expend 30-40 thousand dollars to celebrate the 10th Anniversary, nearly 20 thousand of which will go to gifts, an unnecessary extravagance."

"Furthermore, the fact that you declared this to the Board without even speaking with or getting the approval of the Committee Chairman and Treasurer makes the action not only dishonest and improper but also illegal."

"What perhaps bothers me the most about this action Roshi (老師) is the fact that you really consider me stupid. I may not be wise but I am not stupid and actions of this sort only destroy the 'relationship' we are supposed to have."

"For a long time now I have known that the words honesty and personal integrity mean nothing to you, but for me they shine brightly in my heart as a guiding star and I will follow it until I die."

02/11/86

Minutes of special ZSS Board of Trustees Meeting.

10th Anniversary Celebration at DBZ.

“..the frustrations attendant to 'scraping along' on a low and unpredictable income. In view of DBZ as long-range needs, he argued that $30,000 should not be expended on the 10th Anniversary but rather $10,000.”

"the fund-raising drive Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) and he had launched in the fall (an example of which is the brochure published largely for corporate targets) had been dropped in favor of fund-raising specifically for the 10th Anniversary, and that this would weaken the longrange effort."

"..it was concluded that  1.) funds for the 10th Anniversary will be targeted at $10,000; and  2.) the original Roshi/Schnyer fund-raising drive will  be strongly continued and will incorporate the 10th Anniversary effort in which Bernard Spitz and Richard Rudin are specifically involved."