On Friday, Oct. 9th, 2009, John Daido Loori, Roshi, passed away after a long struggle with cancer. Aside from being an accomplished photographer, Daido Roshi will be most remembered for establishing the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism.
Though I've personally not practiced much with the MRO Sangha, Daido Roshi's influence is recent but very profound. It wasn't so long ago that I picked up a copy of his now classic work, "The Eight Gates of Zen: A Program of Zen Training". What struck me most about Daido Roshi's approach was his commitment to a no-nonsense, traditional Zen practice in the midst of working to craft a uniquely Western/American form of the practice. Whereas many 'American Zen' teachers espoused a very flippant, if negligent attitude toward The Precepts, Daido Roshi placed them at the forefront of his teachings and practice (where they belong!). Many American Zen instructors teach meditation as "calm down, feel good" method of practice but Daido Roshi was also keen to emphasize that tranquility and insight cannot and should not be limited to the meditation cushion. His commitment to engagement is evident from the creation of the Zen Environmental Studies Institute as well as the MRO's involvement with the National Buddhist Prison Sangha. His "radical conservative" stance remains an inspiration to me for me own practice and serves as an illuminating example for all those engaged in bring and adapting the Buddhadharma to the West.
This lotus is for you Daido Roshi, a buddha to be.
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