About Fukushima Keido Roshi

Fukushima Roshi is also the Head Abbot of the Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto, Japan. Tofukuji, which dates from the early twelfth century, is one of the largest and historically most significant among the Zen monasteries in Japan. Several of the monastery's buildings are listed as National Treasures by the Japanese government, and Tofukuji houses many priceless works of Japanese art.

Fukushima became a monk at the age of 14 and trained with his first Master, Okada Roshi, who also served as Head Abbot of the Tofukuji sect. He later studied at Otani University in Kyoto and graduated with a doctorate degree in Buddhist studies. He then entered into a training monastery and trained with his second Master, Shibayama Roshi, who served as Head Abbot of the Nanzenji sect of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. After completing his Zen training, Fukushima Roshi became the vice resident priest of Okada Roshi's temple. In 1980 he became Zen Master, a designation few monks attain even after years of study, and in 1991 he became Head Abbot of the Tofukuji sect.

Fukushima Keido first visited the U.S. in 1969 with his Master, Shibayama Roshi. In 1973-74, he taught Zen meditation to American students at Claremont College in California and later expanded his teaching programs to other universities throughout the U.S.

Roshi's first visit to Oglethorpe University was in February, 2000, initiating what we hope will be an annual tradition.