Shaku, Soyen

Soyen Shaku (1859-1919) was the first Rinzai Zen teacher to come to the United States. He initially came in 1893 in order to participate in the World Parliament of Religions. Soyen returned to America 12 years later for a nine month stay, during which time he and his lay disciple D.T. Suzuki criss-crossed the country to teach meditation, especially koan study.