Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki was a prominent Japanese Zen priest and meditation teacher who played a pivotal role in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West, particularly in the United States. Born in Japan in 1904, Suzuki Roshi, as he is affectionately known, became the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center and the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California.

Suzuki Roshi's career in writing about Buddhism includes his well-known book "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." This seminal work is considered a classic in Zen literature and offers profound insights into Zen meditation (zazen), mindfulness, and the essence of Zen practice. In the book, he emphasizes the importance of approaching meditation with a beginner's open mind and a sense of curiosity.

While Suzuki Roshi's written works are not extensive, his teachings and lectures have been transcribed and compiled into various books and publications. Shunryu Suzuki's influence on the spread of Zen Buddhism in the West cannot be overstated, and his teachings, both in written form and through personal instruction, continue to inspire countless individuals in their Zen practice and pursuit of spiritual awakening.

Age: 1904 - 1971
Most famous works:

• "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind,"
• ''Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen''