Meido Moore Roshi – Abbot of Korinji Rinzai Zen Monastery

Meido studied under three Rinzai Zen masters: Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji (under whom he also endured a severe training in traditional martial arts), Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, and So’zan Miller Roshi. All are in the lineage of Omori Sogen Roshi, a famous 20^th Century Rinzai Zen Master who was also renowned as a master of calligraphy and swordsmanship.

In 2008 Meido Roshi received inka shomei (“mind seal”), designating him an 86th-generation Zen dharma heir and a 48th-generation holder of the lineage descended from Rinzai Gigen. He has completed the koan practice of his line and is empowered to transmit the full range of Rinzai Zen practice methods. Like many of the teachers in this lineage, his instruction stresses the embodied nature of Zen realization, often making use of physical culture and fine arts as complementary disciplines. In particular, he has stressed instruction of the internal energetic practices transmitted in Rinzai Zen.

Korinji is a monastic residence in the Rinzai Zen Buddhist tradition, located on 17 forested acres near Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and it officially began operations in 2018. Meido serves as the first abbot of this monastery. He is also author of the book: The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice.

Korinji Rinzai Zen Monastery: www.korinji.org

“The Core Principles of Buddhadharma” by Guest Teacher David Listen

On May 29, 2021, Chan/Zen teacher, David Listen, joined us to guide meditation and give a Dharma Talk via Zoom. He expounded on the Three Dharma Seals (impermanence, selflessness, nirvana). These describe how things truly are; and when we cannot let go of our desire for permanence or a sense of an independent self, we suffer. He explained how nirvana or “true nature” is not a “thing” we can see or attain, but simply describes our capacity to fully realize the truths of impermanence and selflessness, thereby unleashing our full potential for compassion and wisdom.

“A Cross-Zen Dialogue” in Chicago Brings Diverse Buddhist Practitioners Together

On June 28, 2019 evening, about 80 participants from many different sanghas and lineages in Chicago and beyond attended the “A Cross-Zen Dialogue” event. This event brought the three teachers Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton (Japanese Soto Zen), Meido Moore Roshi (Japanese Rinzai Zen) and Guo Gu (Chinese Chan) together to discuss the similarities and differences between the approaches that each of their traditions takes to Dharma and practice. The overall theme for the evening was that all the practices and lineages represented by the three teachers have much more in common than they differ, and that no single approach is better for everyone.