Presented April 29, 2022

A discussion of the koan curricula we’ve inherited from Koryu Roshi and Yasutani Roshi. Both Barry and Tenkei have extensive experience studying under multiple generations of teachers in our koan lineages, and are bringing their historical views and insights up-to-date for our modern sanghas.

Some topics we looked into:

1. Comparisons of our two streams of koan lineage: Inzan and Takuju
2. Differences in specific koan styles and needs of individual students
3. Training in other practices, like precepts and mindfulness, before beginning koan work vs diving right in
4. How Maezumi Roshi used elements of both koan lineages
5. Barry’s and Tenkei’s experiences with koan training in Japan, with Maezumi Roshi, with other teachers, and their own current teaching styles
6. What we’ve found to be the needs of current Zen koan students
7. How “Rinzai” was Koryu Roshi, anyway?

RESOURCES