Philip Kapleau

Philip Kapleau
TitleRoshi
Personal life
Born(1912-08-20)August 20, 1912
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
DiedMay 6, 2004(2004-05-06) (aged 91)
NationalityAmerican
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolZen Buddhism
LineageIndependent
Senior posting
Based inThe Rochester Zen Center
SuccessorBodhin Kjolhede
Students

Philip Kapleau (August 20, 1912 – May 6, 2004) was an American Zen Buddhist teacher. He trained in the Harada–Yasutani tradition, which is rooted in Japanese Sōtō and incorporates Rinzai-school koan study. He established Rochester Zen Center, which grew to become one of the most influential Zen communities in the West. His independent lineage includes teachers active in the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the UK and New Zealand.