Kōshō Uchiyama

Quick Facts: Who was Kōshō Uchiyama?

Subject:

Kōshō Uchiyama

Known for:

Sōtō Zen monk, origami master, and author bridging Zen Buddhism and Western thought.

Born:

1912

Died:

1998-03-13

Century / Era:

1912s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kosho Uchiyama (内山 興正, Uchiyama Kōshō; 1912 – March 13, 1998) was a Sōtō Zen monk, origami master, and abbot of Antai-ji near Kyoto, Japan. Uchiyama was author of more than twenty books on Zen Buddhism and origami, of which the best known in the Western World are Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice and How to Cook Your Life: From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment. Uchiyama graduated from Waseda University with a master's degree in Western philosophy in 1937 and was ordained a priest in 1941 by his teacher Kōdō Sawaki. Throughout his life, Uchiyama lived with the damaging effects of tuberculosis.

Career & Major Achievements

Uchiyama became abbot of Antai-ji following Sawaki's death in 1965 until he retired in 1975 to Nokei-in, also near Kyoto, where he lived with his wife. Following the death of his teacher he led a forty-nine-day sesshin in memorial of his teacher. In retirement he continued his writing, the majority of which consisted of poetry. Opening the Hand of Thought, first published in English in 1993 by Arkana Press, was edited by Jishō Cary Warner, and translated by Daitsū Tom Wright and Uchiyama's Dharma heir Shohaku Okumura.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Portions of the book first appeared in a different English language translation in the author's Approach to Zen: The Reality of Zazen, Japan Publications, 1973. The book attempts a straightforward and practical description of Zen, with an emphasis on the practice of zazen, and uses comparisons of Buddhism and Christianity as a way for westerners to understand Uchiyama's approach His summary is: "one zazen, two practices, three minds" which refers to his own formula: two practices of "vow" and "repentance", and three minds: "magnanimous mind, nurturing mind and joyful mind". He says his book covers butsudō, the effort of an individual to actualize their universal self.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1912: Birth of Kōshō Uchiyama — Sōtō Zen monk, origami master, and author bridging Zen Buddhism and Western thought.
2. 1937: 1937 Milestone — Uchiyama graduated from Waseda University with a master's degree in Western philosophy in 1937 and was ordained a priest in 1941 by his teacher Kōdō Sawaki.
3. 1965: 1965 Milestone — Uchiyama became abbot of Antai-ji following Sawaki's death in 1965 until he retired in 1975 to Nokei-in, also near Kyoto, where he lived with his wife.
4. 1973: 1973 Milestone — Portions of the book first appeared in a different English language translation in the author's Approach to Zen: The Reality of Zazen, Japan Publications, 1973.
5. 1993: 1993 Milestone — Opening the Hand of Thought, first published in English in 1993 by Arkana Press, was edited by Jishō Cary Warner, and translated by Daitsū Tom Wright and Uchiyama's Dharma heir Shohaku Okumura.
6. 1998 (1998-03-13): Passing & Historical Legacy — Kōshō Uchiyama passed away on 1998-03-13, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Kōshō Uchiyama

“One zazen, two practices, three minds”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kōshō Uchiyama

True or False: “Kosho Uchiyama's early academic focus was primarily on Zen Buddhism rather than Western philosophy.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He graduated from Waseda University with a master's degree in Western philosophy in 1937.

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