Rempo Niwa Zenji

Zuigaku Rempo Niwa Zenji (1905–1993)[1] was a Japanese Zen master.[1]

Biography

Rempo Zenji was born in Shizuoka, Japan.[2] His father was a schoolmaster and his mother was a farmer.[2] After graduating from Tokyo University, he became the head official in Tokei-in[2] and later studied at Antai-ji.[3] At the age of 50,[4] Niwa became the 77th abbot of the Eihei-ji monastery.[1][5] He also received the imperial title of Jikô Enkai Zenji (“Great Zen Master of Compassion, Ocean of Plenitude”).[1]

An avid practitioner of zazen, he rebuilt the zendo (meditation hall) so that the young people in training could better engage in this essential practice.[4] His dharma heirs include Gudō Wafu Nishijima[6][7] and Moriyama Daigyo as well as several teachers affiliated with the Taisen Deshimaru Lineage in Europe.[1] Zenji (literally, "Zen Master") is an honorary title given to the senior Eihei temple (Eihei-ji), headquarters of the Sōtō school, founded in the thirteenth century by Master Dogen.

Outside of Zen, he created brush calligraphy.[8] His work was often credited to various pseudonyms.[8] Niwa died in 1993.[1][2]

References

1. "Niwa, Zuigaku Rempô". Sweeping Zen. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
2. "Dogen Sangha (4) The Two Reverend Masters". Gudō Wafu Nishijima. August 15, 2006. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
3. Weitsman, Mel; Wenger, Michael; Okumura, Shōhaku. Dogen Zenji's Shobogenzo Genjo-koan. p. 132. ISBN 9781582437439.
4. "Qué es lo que usted desearía saber a propósito del templo" (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 December 2014.
5. Victoria, Brian (2006). Zen at War. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. xiii. ISBN 9780742539266.
6. Warner, Brad (2003). Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality. Wisdom Publications. p. 52. ISBN 0-86171-380-X.
7. "OBITUARY: Gudo Wafu Nishijima". Sweeping Zen. January 30, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
8. "About Treeleaf and our Lineage". Retrieved September 20, 2015.