In 1990 I moved into the Ida Ryogokudo Zazen Dojo.
When I first arrived in Japan, I was living in Tokyo in a 4 tatami mat room with 4 other musicians, I had to sleep with my legs half way into the closet. I meditated in that small room facing the wall but it made the rest of the guys a bit uncomfortable as they felt they needed to be quiet. I started traveling about 45 minutes from Tokyo to meditate at the Zazen Dojo whenever I had time. Eventually Nishijima Roshi asked if I would like to move in. I was very excited for the opportunity and moved in within a week.
Before living in Japan, I had practiced Zazen for just over 12 years although I had never experienced living within an organized Buddhist community or Sangha. I ended up really enjoying the environment and the people but now days I mostly practice on my own.
Me on the left, before I shaved my head, Jeremy center and Sensei Nishijima on the right.
This photo was after a one day meditation retreat at the Dojo. Jeremy Pearson, one of Sensei’s Dharma heirs, is photographed here in the center. Jeremy helped Sensei with much of his writing and translations of the Shobogenzo and other Buddhist texts and was also a tireless Zazen practitioner. Mike Eido Luetchford and Chodo Mike Cross also did much to support Sensei’s writings and translations.
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A poor photographed picture of Sensei and I in the Dojo Kitchen. A lot of discussion, debate and story telling took place here, and a lot of great food!