Nakagawa Sōen

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Nakagawa Sōen, also Sōen Roshi (1908–83). A leading Zen master of the Rinzai school, dharma-successor (hassu) of Yamamoto Gempo. He was abbot of Ryūtaku-ji, and was much concerned to spread understanding and practice of Zen in the West. He was characterized by his ability to convert everyday occasions into Zen practice (e.g. a coffee-break could be as much an occasion as the traditional tea-ceremony). In this, he extended the example of a revered predecessor, Musō Soseki.

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