NEWS: John Daido Loori Roshi Stepping Down as Abbot General of the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism
by Danny Fisher
News regarding John Daido Loori Roshi, the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery and founder of the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism, via our friend and past interviewee James Ishmael Ford over at Monkey Mind:
This past Sunday (John Daido Loori) Roshi met with the Zen Mountain Monastery Board of Directors to let them know he feels it is time for him step down as Abbot General of the Order and to pass his responsibilities on to the next generation.
[...]
He asked that Shugen Sensei step into the position of Abbot General, and that this go into effect immediately. He reiterated his previously stated wishes that Shugen Sensei assume the role of Abbot of the Zen Center of New York City and Ryushin Sensei assume the abbot’s position of Zen Mountain Monastery.
An important step in this process is for Daido Roshi to step down as the Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery and the Zen Center of NYC. This will be publicly acknowledged through a service called the “Descending the Mountain” Ceremony…
Like James, I previously announced the date and time of this ceremony, but there are concerns about space. So, in James’ words, “if you were not directly invited, please forgo planning on attending. Words to the abbots-elect and to the old roshi, however, through letter or email, are more than appropriate…”
Dear Sangha,
Please do pass along my blessings to Daido Roshi, my appreciation for all his teachings, my thoughts for well being. all in his process of being whole, as always.
Gasho
Jacques Berchten
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