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Mel Weitsman
Mel Weitsman1.JPG
Sojun Mel Weitsman wielding a hossu.
Religion Zen Buddhism
School Sōtō
Lineage Shunryu Suzuki
Dharma names Hakuryū Sojun
Personal
Nationality American
Born Mel Weitsman
(1929-07-20)July 20, 1929
Southern California, U.S.
Died January 7, 2021(2021-01-07) (aged 91)
Senior posting
Based in Berkeley Zen Center
Title Abbot
Predecessor Hoitsu Suzuki
Successor Zenkei Blanche Hartman
Zoketsu Norman Fischer
Ryushin Paul Haller
Peter Schneider (zen priest)
Hozan Alan Senauke
Maylie Scott
Josho Pat Phelan
Grace Schireson
Dairyu Michael Wenger
Myōgen Steve Stücky
Shōsan Victoria Austin
Steve Weintraub
Gil Fronsdal
Fran Tribe
Mary Mocine
Myōan Grace Schireson
Daijaku Kinst
Shinshu Roberts
Teah Strozer
Chikudō Lew Richmond
Edward Espe Brown
Idilio Ceniceros
Religious career
Teacher Shunryu Suzuki

Mel Weitsman (born July 20, 1929 – died January 7, 2021) was an important American Buddhist teacher. He was known by his Dharma name, Hakuryu Sojun. He started the Berkeley Zen Center in Berkeley, California. He was also an abbot, which is a leader, at the San Francisco Zen Center for many years. Mel Weitsman followed the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki, a famous Zen master. He even edited a book of Suzuki's talks called Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness.

Early Life and Zen Journey

Mel Weitsman was born in Southern California in 1929. He became interested in religion when he was young. In 1964, he began studying Zen Buddhism at the San Francisco Zen Center. His main teacher was Shunryu Suzuki.

In 1967, Mel Weitsman and his teacher, Shunryu Suzuki, started the Berkeley Zen Center together. This center became a special place for people to learn about Zen.

Becoming a Zen Priest

In 1969, Suzuki made Weitsman a Zen priest. The next year, in 1970, he became a "Shuso," or Head Monk. This happened at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He learned from other teachers too, like Dainin Katagiri and Kobun Chino Otogawa. He also worked with Kazuaki Tanahashi to translate old Zen writings.

Dharma Transmission and Leadership

In 1984, Mel Weitsman received "Dharma transmission." This is a special ceremony where a teacher passes on their understanding of Zen to a student. He received it from Hoitsu Suzuki Roshi. Hoitsu was the son and spiritual heir of Mel's first teacher, Shunryu Suzuki.

In 1985, Mel Weitsman became the official abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. An abbot is the head of a monastery or Zen center. Later, from 1988 to 1997, he also served as a co-abbot at the San Francisco Zen Center.

Founding the American Zen Teachers Association

In 1995, Mel Weitsman helped start the American Zen Teachers Association (AZTA). He created this group with other important American Zen teachers. This organization helps Zen teachers in the United States work together. Over the years, Mel Weitsman taught and passed on his Zen understanding to more than twenty students.

See also

  • Sōtō Zen
  • Shunryu Suzuki
  • San Francisco Zen Center
  • Berkeley Zen Center
  • Soto Zen Buddhist Association
  • American Zen Teachers Association
  • Zen in the United States
  • Buddhism in the United States
  • Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States
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