Keido Fukushima

Quick Facts: Who was Keido Fukushima?

Subject:

Keido Fukushima

Known for:

Influential Rinzai Zen Master who modernized Zen practice for the Western world.

Born:

1933-03-01

Died:

2011-03-01

Century / Era:

1933s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Keidō Fukushima (福島 慶道, Rōmaji: Fukushima Keidō, March 1, 1933 – March 1, 2011) was a Japanese Rinzai Zen master, head abbot of Tōfuku-ji (one of the main branches of the Rinzai sect), centered in Kyoto, Japan. Because of openness to teaching Western students, he had considerable influence on the development of Rinzai Zen practice in the West. Fukushima became an acolyte monk at the age of thirteen under his original teacher Kidō Okada, abbot of Hōfuku-ji monastery in Okayama, Japan. Fukushima graduated from Otani University's Department of Buddhist Studies in 1956, following completion of Otani's doctoral course. In 1961 he began monastic training with Zenkei Shibayama at Nanzen-ji Monastery in Kyoto.

Career & Major Achievements

Fukushima's main teacher, Zenkei Shibayama, was instrumental in helping to transplant Rinzai Zen to the West. He was one of the first Rinzai Zen masters to hold retreats in the United States, and to publish books in English: A Flower Does Not Talk, Ox-herding Pictures, and Zen Comments on the Mumonkan / Gateless Barrier. Shibayama made annual visits to the United States in the late 1960s. In 1969 he was accompanied by Fukushima (at that time senior monk at Nanzen-ji and known as Genshō). In 1973 Fukushima received a fellowship to study English at the Claremont Colleges where he conducted seminars on Zen and led zazen practice.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Acknowledged as a Zen master in 1974, Fukushima was appointed vice-resident abbot of Hōfuku-ji where he began to train his own disciples. In 1980, he was appointed master of the Tōfuku-ji training monastery (senmon dōjō 専門道場) in Kyoto. He was elected head abbot (kanchō 管長) of Tōfuku-ji in 1991, supervising 363 affiliated temples. After being named Zen master and given the name Keidō, Fukushima strove to carry out his teacher Shibayama's intention to introduce Rinzai Zen to the West. He accepted Western students as monks, both at Hōfuku-ji and Tōfuku-ji.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1933 (1933-03-01): Birth of Keido Fukushima — Influential Rinzai Zen Master who modernized Zen practice for the Western world.
2. 1956: 1956 Milestone — Fukushima graduated from Otani University's Department of Buddhist Studies in 1956, following completion of Otani's doctoral course.
3. 1961: 1961 Milestone — In 1961 he began monastic training with Zenkei Shibayama at Nanzen-ji Monastery in Kyoto.
4. 1969: 1969 Milestone — In 1969 he was accompanied by Fukushima (at that time senior monk at Nanzen-ji and known as Genshō).
5. 1973: 1973 Milestone — In 1973 Fukushima received a fellowship to study English at the Claremont Colleges where he conducted seminars on Zen and led zazen practice.
6. 1974: 1974 Milestone — Acknowledged as a Zen master in 1974, Fukushima was appointed vice-resident abbot of Hōfuku-ji where he began to train his own disciples.
7. 1980: 1980 Milestone — In 1980, he was appointed master of the Tōfuku-ji training monastery (senmon dōjō 専門道場) in Kyoto.
8. 1991: 1991 Milestone — He was elected head abbot (kanchō 管長) of Tōfuku-ji in 1991, supervising 363 affiliated temples.
9. 2011 (2011-03-01): Passing & Historical Legacy — Keido Fukushima passed away on 2011-03-01, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Keido Fukushima

“While American Zen has certainly learned a great deal from Japanese Zen, I think it is now time for American Zen to stand on its own two feet.” (2007)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Keido Fukushima

True or False: “Keidō Fukushima was the first Rinzai Zen master to teach in the United States.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was instrumental in bringing Rinzai Zen to the West, his main teacher, Zenkei Shibayama, was one of the first masters to hold retreats there.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Keido Fukushima