Robert Baker Aitken

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Robert Baker Aitken
Title	Roshi
Personal
Born	(1917-06-19)June 19, 1917 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died	Honolulu, Hawaii
Spouse	Anne Hopkins Aitken
Children	Tom Aitken
School	Zen Buddhism
Lineage	Harada-Yasutani
Education	University of Hawaii University of California
Senior posting
Teacher	Soen Nakagawa Nyogen Senzaki
Predecessor	Yamada Koun
Website	www.robertaitken.net

Robert Baker Dairyu Chotan Aitken Rōshi (June 19, 1917 – August 5, 2010) was a Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He co-founded the Honolulu Diamond Sangha in 1959 together with his wife. Aitken received Dharma transmission from Koun Yamada in 1985 but decided to live as a layperson. He was a socialist advocating social justice for gays, women and Native Hawaiians throughout his life, and was one of the original founders of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Biography

Robert Baker Aitken and Anne Hopkins Aitken

Robert Aitken was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1917, then was raised in Hawaii from the age of five.

Living in Guam as a civilian working construction—at the onset of World War II—he was detained by the Japanese and held in internment camps for the duration of the war. In one such internment camp in Kobe, Japan in 1944 he met the scholar Reginald Horace Blyth, with whom he had frequent discussions on Zen Buddhism and anarchism. At the conclusion of the war he returned to Hawaii and obtained a B.A. in English literature and an MA in Japanese from the University of Hawaii.

In the late 1940s, while going to classes briefly at the University of California in Berkeley, California, he met Nyogen Senzaki. Originally in California hoping for an encounter with Krishnamurti, he began to study with Senzaki in Los Angeles. It was during this period that his commitment to leftist social issues - such as pacifism and labor rights - became more vocal. As a result of his advocacy, he was investigated during this period by the FBI.

In 1950 he went back to Japan, under a grant to study haiku and followed Senzaki's recommendation that he study Zen there. There he took part in his first sesshin at Engaku-ji, a temple in Kamakura, Japan. Soon after, he met Nakagawa Soen, who persuaded him to come for a stay at Ryutakuji for the next seven months. During this period Soen took over for the ailing abbot of the temple, Yamamoto Gempo. Aitken then came down with a case of dysentery, and returned home to Hawaii. He married his second wife Anne Hopkins in 1957 and made occasional trips back to Japan. In 1957 Aitken met Hakuun Yasutani and sat with him for the first time.

In 1959 he and Anne began a meditation group in Honolulu at their residence, which became known as the Koko-an zendo. The community that gathered at this zendo were then named the Diamond Sangha by the two. The Diamond Sangha has affiliate zen centers in South America, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe and is known for making the rigors of traditional Zen accessible to lay practitioners.

In 1960 Soen Nakagawa Roshi asked young monk Eido Tai Shimano to travel to Honolulu to assist at the Diamond Sangha center.

In 1961, Aitken made an extended stay in Japan to study under Haku'un Yasutani, eventually ending his studies with Soen. He then worked in various capacities at the East-West Center and the University of Hawaii until 1969, when he and Anne moved to Maui, Hawaii to found the Maui Zendo in Haiku-Pauwela. Koun Yamada Rōshi was invited to lead the Diamond Sangha and he moved to Hawaii in 1971. In 1974 Aitken was given permission to teach by Koun Yamada, receiving full Dharma transmission from him in 1985.

Robert Aitken was a social activist through much of his adult life, beginning with against nuclear testing during the 1940s. He was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, and became a strong opponent of the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. He was among the earlier proponents of deep ecology in religious America, and was outspoken in his beliefs on the equality of men and women. In 1978 Aitken helped found the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, an organization that advocates conflict resolution globally.

Aitken Roshi died after a brief bout with pneumonia on August 5, 2010 in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

Dharma heirs

Robert Aitken appointed a number of successors, several of whom also appointed successors:

1. Alcalde, Augusto Nyo'ei Gen'un Roshi (b. 1950). Teacher at the Vimalakirti Sangha, Shobo-an, Cordoba, Argentina, and a visiting teacher at the Melbourne Zen Group, Melbourne, Australia. In April/March 2001 he has formally resigned from the Diamond Sangha, has discontinued most of his teaching engagements and has given up the use of the title "Roshi."
2. Barzaghi, Subhana, Gyo Shin, Myo-Un-An Roshi (7 Aug 1954-). Also a teacher appointed by John Tarrant.
3. Bobrow, Joseph. Teacher at the Deep Streams Zen Institute (formerly known as The Harbour Sangha), San Francisco, US]
4. Bolleter, Ross Roshi (18 Jul 1946-). Also received Transmission from J. Tarrant. Teacher at the Zen Group of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Teacher at the Maitai Zendo Nelson, New Zealand.
   1. Jaksch, Mary Jise Roshi (1947-). Teacher at the Maitai Zendo, Nelson, NZ
   2. Murphy, Susan Myo Sei Ryu'un An Roshi (17 Jun 1950-). The partner of Ross Bolleter. In 2001 she also received Transmission from J. Tarrant. The founding teacher of Zen Open Circle group in Sydney, Australia [96]. Together with Subhana Barzaghi, teacher of the Melbourne Zen Group since 2001.
   3. Sweetman, Ian. Teacher at the Zen Group of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
   4. Joyner, Robert G. Roshi (9 Apr 1937-). Teacher at the Adelaide Zen Group in Adelaide, South Australia.
   5. Wallis, Glenn Roshi(1960-) Dunedin, New Zealand
   6. Wells, Arthur Roshi (?-) Teacher for the Christchurch Zen Group, New Zealand
5. Henry, Michael Danan Roshi (b. 1939-). This appointment follows that by Philip Kapleau. Teacher at the Denver Zen Center [28]
   1. Kempe, Karin Sensei. Teacher at the Denver Zen Center. In 2008 the Head of Zendo at Zen Center of Denver.
   2. Morgareidge, Ken Sensei. Teacher at the Denver Zen Center [186]. In 2005-2007 the Head of Zendo at Zen Center of Denver.
   3. Sheehan, Peggy Sensei. Teacher at the Denver Zen Center [186]. In 2001-2005 the Head of Zendo at Zen Center of Denver.
6. Dawson, Geoff. Assistant teacher within R. Aitken Line, gone independent. Following the separation from R. Aitken Roshi and J. Tarrant Roshi, Geoff Dawson became, in late 1990s, a student of Joko Beck Roshi. Received Dharma Transmission from Joko Beck in 2003 [257]. Teacher at the Ordinary Mind Zen School Sydney, Australia.
7. Drosten, Rolf Rev. Roshi. Teacher at the Leverkusen Zen Group, also known as the "Wolken und Mond Sangha" (Clouds and Moon Sangha), Leverkusen, Germany.
   1. Haffer-Penther, Amelie Roshi.
   2. Jung, Franz Xaver Roshi.
   3. Zill, Burkard Roshi.
8. Duffy, Jack Kenzan Kan'un Ken Roshi (b. 1951-). Teacher at the Three Treasures Sangha, Seattle, US.
   1. Zeedyk, Jana (b. 1953-) Associate teacher
9. Foster, Nelson (b. 1951-). Teacher at the Ring of Bone Zendo, California, and at the Honolulu Diamond Sangha, Hawaii, US.
   1. Kieran, Michael. Co-teacher at the Honolulu Diamond Sangha, Hawaii, US.
10. Hawk, Pat Seisho Shin'un Fr. Roshi (1942-2012). Teacher at the Zen Desert Sangha, Tucson, AZ US. Teacher at the Mountain Cloud Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM, US.
    1. Dorsey, Dan Roshi. Teacher at the Zen Desert Sangha, Tucson, AZ US.
    2. Larson, Kristen Roshi. Teacher at the North Olympic Sangha (NO Sangha), Port Angeles, US.
    3. Marcel, Leonard Roshi
    4. Dharan, Saudi Arabia, Guest Teacher at the Leverkusen Zen Group, Germany]
    5. Saalfeld, Joan SNJM
    6. Walker, Robert (Bob) Roshi
       1. Sanders, Paul. Assistant teacher
    7. Weimar, Susan Roshi. Teacher at the Zen Desert Sangha, Tucson, AZ US, The Flagstaff Zen Group, and Empty Sky Sangha.
11. Gyger, Pia Jinji Sr. Roshi (b. 1940). Teacher at the One Ground Sangha, Luzern, Switzerland.
12. Morgan, Marian. Assistant teacher. Founder and teacher of Clear Spring Zen in Charlottesville, VA, and teacher at the Zen Center of Reading, PA.
13. Steger, Manfred B. (b. 1961-). Assistant teacher, gone independent in mid-1991. Co-teacher, together with his wife, Perle Besserman (a Robert Aitken's student, did not receive from Aitken Roshi a sanction to teach) of the Princeton Area Zen Group, Princeton NJ, US.
14. Tarrant, John Nanryu Ji'un-ken Roshi (b. 1949). Left the Diamond Sangha in the late 1999. Head and teacher of the California Diamond Sangha, an organization renamed in Jan 2000 as the Pacific Zen Institute, US.
    1. Barzaghi, Subhana Gyo Shin, Myo-Un-An Roshi (b. 1954). Also received Transmission from Robert Aitken. Teacher (Diamond Sangha) at the Sydney Zen Centre, and visiting teacher at the Melbourne Zen Group, Melbourne, Australia.
       1. Burke, Sexton (b. 1944-). Assistant teacher. Teacher (Diamond Sangha) at the Sydney Zen Centre, Australia.
       2. Coote, Gillian Jitsu Mu Roshi (b. 1944) Teacher (Diamond Sangha) at the Sydney Zen Centre, Australia.
       3. Davison, Ellen. Assistant teacher
       4. Gluek, Maggie Seiryu. Assistant teacher. Teacher (Diamond Sangha) at the Sydney Zen Centre, Australia.
       5. Maloney, Paul (b. 1939-) Assistant teacher. Teacher (Diamond Sangha) at the Sydney Zen Centre, Australia.
    2. Bolleter, Ross Roshi (b. 1946-). Also appointed by Robert Aitken.
    3. Ford, James Ishmael Zeno Myoun Roshi (b. 1948). Also a Soto teacher appointed by Jiyu Kennett Roshi. Taught at the Desert Lotus Zen Sangha, US. An adjunct teacher at the Pacific Zen Institute in Santa Rosa, US, and the teacher at the Boundless Way Zen.
       1. Blacker, Melissa Keido Myozen Sensei (b. 1954). A co-teacher of the Worcester Zen Sangha, an affiliate organization within Boundless Way Zen.
       2. Ross, Lanny Sevan Keido Sei'an Sensei (b. 1951). Also holds the Dharma Transmission in the Philip Kapleau lineage bestowed on him in 2001 by Bodhin Kjolhede Roshi.
    4. Mansfield-Howlett, Rachel. Head teacher at Santa Rosa City Zen, US. Teacher and at the Desert Lotus Zen Sangha in Phoenix, CO, US.
    5. Murphy, Susan Myo Sei Ryu'un An Roshi (b. 1950-). An adjunct teacher at the Pacific Zen Institute in Santa Rosa, US. Also received Transmission from Ross Bolleter.
    6. Saint, Deborah. Sensei. A teacher at the Desert Lotus Zen Sangha, Phoenix, AZ. and at the Pacific Zen Institute.
    7. Sutherland, Joan Roshi (b. 1954). Co-founder of and teacher at the Pacific Zen Institute, Santa Rosa, guiding teacher of the Springs Mountain Sangha in Colorado Springs, CO. and a teacher of the Mountain Cloud Zen Center, Santa Fe, US.
       1. Bender, Sarah Masland Sensei (b. 1948). A resident teacher for the Springs Mountain Sangha in Colorado Springs, CO., and also a Cadet Chapel Buddhist Program Leader at the United States Air Force Academy. A teacher at the Springs Mountain Zendo, CO.
       2. Palmer, Andrew Sensei (b. 1971).
    8. Terragno, Danièl Ki-Nay (b. 1947-) Roshi. Teacher at the 'Rocks & Clouds Zendo', Sebastopol, CA, US. Also, the visiting teacher for the Yellow Springs Dharma Centre and the Columbus Zen Corner in Ohio, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
       1. Parekh, Antoinette Kenjo Shin (b. 1959) Apprentice teacher.
    9. Twentyman, Craig. Independent teacher
    10. Weinstein, David Onryu Ko'un (b. 1949-) Roshi. The guiding teacher of the Oakland Zendo of the Pacific Zen Institute. The guiding teacher of the Fair Oaks Sangha, Menlo Park, Ca., an affiliate of the Pacific Zen Institute. A teacher of the Springs Mountain Sangha, Colorado Springs, CO.

Bibliography

• Zen Training. A Personal Account; Honolulu: Old Island Books (1960).
• A Buddhist Reader; Honolulu: Young Buddhist Association (1961).
• Hawaii Upward Bound Writing and Art 1966; A Project of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Robert Aitken, Editor (1966).
• A Zen Wave: Basho’s Haiku and Zen; New York: Weatherhill (1978). ISBN 0-8348-0137-X
• Taking the Path of Zen; San Francisco: North Point Press (1982). ISBN 0-86547-080-4.
• The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics; San Francisco: North Point Press (1984). ISBN 0-86547-158-4.
• The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-menkuan (Mumonkan); San Francisco: North Point Press (1990). ISBN 0-86547-442-7.
• The Dragon who Never Sleeps: Verses for Zen Buddhist Practice; Berkeley: Parallax Press (1992). ISBN 0-938077-60-0.
• Encouraging Words: Zen Buddhist Teachings for Western Students; San Francisco and New York: Pantheon Books (1993). ISBN 0-679-75652-3.
• The Ground We Share: Everyday Practice. Buddhist and Christian with David Steindl-Rast; Ligouri, Missouri: Triumph Books, (1994). ISBN 0-89243-644-1.
• The Practice of Perfection: The Paramitas from a Zen Buddhist Perspective; San Francisco and New York: Pantheon Books (1994). ISBN 0-679-43510-7.
• Original Dwelling Place: Zen Buddhist Essays; Washington, DC: Counterpoint Press (1996). ISBN 1-887178-16-3.
• Zen Master Raven: Savings and Doings of a Wise Bird; Boston: Tuttle Publishing (2002). ISBN 0-8048-3473-3

See also

• Engaged Buddhism
• Buddhism in the United States
• Buddhism in the West
• Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States

External links

• Official website
• Robert Aitken's blog
• Aitken Collection at the University of Hawaii's Hamilton Library
• Honolulu Diamond Sangha
• Buddhist Peace Fellowship