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Taizan Maezumi, Roshi

Maezumi Roshi with his Mother

1931-1995

Founder of Great Vow Zen Monastery. The original teacher of Chozen Bays, and the ordination teacher of Hogen Bays.

Maezumi Roshi was ordained at age 11 by his father, Hakujun Kuroda Roshi. He came to the United States to serve the Soto Zen Mission in Los Angeles. He had begun koan study in Japan with the lay Rinzai teacher Osaka Koryu Roshi at age 16. After meeting Yasutani Roshi, he undertook koan study with him, becoming his successor in 1970. Later, Maezumi Roshi resumed and finished koan study with Koryu Roshi, thus becoming a Dharma successor in both the Soto and Rinzai traditions. Maezumi Roshi founded the Zen Center of Los Angeles. His kind but rigorous training at this mother temple produced thirteen Dharma successors who teach in North America, including Chozen Bays.

Read a quote from Maezumi Roshi...

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Updated: October 25, 2006
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October 25, 2006