Roshi Jules Shuzen Harris. Picture by way of Soji Zen Heart.

Psychotherapist and Soto Zen priest Roshi Jules Shuzen Harris handed away at his house in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania on Monday, Could 8 after a chronic interval of sophisticated well being points.

Shuzen Roshi was the founder and abbot of Soji Zen Heart in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. In an announcement of his demise shared by the middle, Sensei John Ango Gruber writes:

Yesterday, after a chronic interval of sophisticated well being points, our beloved instructor and Soji founder Roshi Jules Shuzen Harris handed away at house in Lansdowne. I’ve been extremely moved by Roshi’s conviction to maintain exhibiting up, week after week, to take a seat with us, chant with us, see college students in interviews, and provide the teachings of the Dharma in each his phrases and his instance. It was not simple in these latest months, however he wouldn’t be deterred!

For years, we now have been united by a shared love for our instructor and a connection solid by the ways in which he has been so influential to so many people. I’ve listened to a lot of you communicate in council circle typically a couple of method that Shuzen Roshi guided you, challenged you, provided you help or compassion, noticed one thing in you that you could be not have seen in your self, and inspired you to go deeper in your Zen follow and dedication.

I may also say with absolute readability that every one of you’ve meant a lot to Shuzen Roshi, that he has profoundly appreciated your help for Soji, your dedication to follow, and your willingness to return again time and again to a spot of grateful acceptance alongside constant effort. Roshi mentioned many occasions, “You all are my follow,” and certainly we now have been.

As shared by Village Zendo, Shuzen Roshi practiced Buddhism for almost 40 years, receiving denkai (transmission of the precepts) in Could 2002 from Genpo Roshi, Abbot of Kanzeon Zen Heart. He obtained hoshi, shiho, and inka from Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara. He was a member of the Zen Peacemakers Sangha, The Soto Zen Buddhist Affiliation, in addition to the American Zen Academics Affiliation, and held an Ed.D. with a focus in utilized human growth.

“As a psychotherapist,” Village Zendo writes, “Shuzen discovered inventive methods to synthesize Western psychology and Zen to realize dramatic outcomes together with his sufferers and college students. He additionally targeted on the connection between Zen and the martial arts. He held black belts in Iaido (the artwork of drawing and slicing with a samurai sword) and in Kendo (Japanese fencing). Shuzen based two Japanese swordsmanship colleges in Albany, NY and Salt Lake Metropolis, UT.”

Soji Zen Heart will modify their common program on Sunday, Could 14th to incorporate a circle for sharing reflections, recollections and private messages to honor Shuzen Harris’ life, and a Zoom circle on Tuesday, Could 16. Go to their web site for extra data.