Mel Weitsman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mel Weitsman |
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Sojun Mel Weitsman wielding a hossu.
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| Religion | Zen Buddhism |
| School | Sōtō |
| Lineage | Shunryu Suzuki |
| Dharma names | Hakuryū Sojun |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | Mel Weitsman July 20, 1929 Southern California, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2021 (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.
Contents
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
