10 Facts About Philip Kapleau

1.

Philip Kapleau was an American teacher of Zen Buddhism in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition, a blending of Japanese Soto and Rinzai schools.

2.

Philip Kapleau briefly studied law and later became an accomplished court reporter.

3.

Philip Kapleau trained initially with Soen Nakagawa, then rigorously with Daiun Harada at the temple Hosshin-ji.

4.

Philip Kapleau ended his relationship with Yasutani formally in 1967 over disagreements about teaching and other personal issues.

5.

Philip Kapleau introduced many modifications to the Japanese Zen tradition, such as chanting the Heart Sutra in the local language, English in the US, or Polish at the Center he founded in Katowice.

6.

Philip Kapleau often emphasized that Zen Buddhism adapted so readily to new cultures because it was not dependent upon a dogmatic external form.

7.

Philip Kapleau transcribed other Zen teachers' talks, interviewed lay students and monks, and recorded the practical details of Zen Buddhist practice.

8.

Philip Kapleau argued that Buddhism enjoins vegetarianism on the principle of nonharmfulness.

9.

Philip Kapleau appointed several successors, some of whom have subsequently appointed successors or authorized teachers:.

10.

Two students ended their formal affiliation with Philip Kapleau, establishing independent teaching-careers:.