15 Facts About Sokei-an

Sokei-an Shigetsu Sasaki, born Yeita Sasaki, was a Japanese Rinzai monk who founded the Buddhist Society of America in New York City in 1930.

Influential in the growth of Zen Buddhism in the United States, Sokei-an was one of the first Japanese masters to live and teach in America and the foremost purveyor in the US of Direct Transmission.

Sokei-an died in May 1945 without leaving behind a Dharma heir.

Sokei-an was born in Japan in 1882 as Yeita Sasaki.

Sokei-an was raised by his father, a Shinto priest, and his father's wife, though his birth mother was his father's concubine.

Sokei-an then moved to Oregon without Tome and Shintaro to work for a short while, being rejoined by them in Seattle, Washington.

Sokei-an traveled the Oregon and Washington countrysides selling subscriptions to Hokubei Shinpo.

Sokei-an returned to Japan in 1920 to continue his koan studies, first under Soyen Shaku and then with Sokatsu.

Sokei-an made part of his living by sculpting Buddhist images and repairing art for Tiffany's.

In 1941 Ruth purchased an apartment at 124 E 65th Street in New York City, which served as living quarters for Sokei-an and became the new home for the Buddhist Society of America.

Sokei-an died on May 17,1945, after years of bad health.

Sokei-an's ashes are interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.

Sokei-an did not provide instruction in zazen or hold sesshins at the Buddhist Society of America.

Sokei-an's primary focus was on koans and sanzen, relying on the Hakuin system.

Sokei-an finds that place where "East" and "West" no longer exist and articulates this wisdom brilliantly for all beings.