In 1989 I had the incredible good fortune to study under Keido Fukushima, Zen Master, and Abbot of Tôfukuji Zen Monastery (Kyoto, Japan). Master Fukushima came to the US to lead a weekend retreat at The Oasis Renewal Center, an ecumenical spiritual retreat center where I worked as the resident manager in Little Rock, Arkansas. At that time I had been living at the retreat center for about a year in a small log cabin. Just me and my dog, Amber. Usually it was just Amber and me on the 41 acres after working hours, but on some weekends we had overnight retreat leaders and guests on the grounds. It was at Master Fukushima’s retreat where I was introduced to meditation in the Zen tradition.
His nickname, the Laughing Buddha, is apt. He was almost always smiling and on the verge of either giggling or belly-rolling laughter. He took pleasure in calling my fellow retreatants by nicknames he coined on the spot. He looked up at me and said, laughing of course, “Tall Buddha! Hee, hee, hee.”
He not only laughs at his inner muse, but he has a sense of humor anyone could appreciate. For example, many students asked questions through his translator, and he solemnly replied in Japanese while we waited for the intermediation of the English translation. Then at one point he grew weary of that, apparently, and laughing, lapsed into perfect English and conversed directly with the group to our astonishment and puzzled delight.
–Karl Straub
Here is a review of a book about Master Fukushima:
Fukushima Keido, Chief Abbot of Tôfukuji monastery in Kyoto, supervises more than 300 temples in the Tôfukuji sect of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, a religion that dates back to the thirteenth-century Japan.
Book Description
Harris’ book serves as a fresh introduction to Zen for Western readers which never fails to convey the radiant spirit of one of the most remarkable spiritual masters of our time.
Description
The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji examines the life and teachings of living Zen Master, Keido Fukushima. Fukushima is known as a master koan trainer and calligrapher whose penetrating insight has awakened many disciples to an awareness of Zen. Roshi Keido Fukushima is the current Abbot of Tofukuji temple-monastery in Kyoto, Japan. Combining the central teachings of Roshi Fukushima’s Zen with illuminating biographical details, Harris’ book serves both as a wonderfully fresh introduction to Zen for Western readers and a compelling biography which never fails to convey the radiant spirit of one of the most remarkable spiritual masters of our time. In these pages we see deeply into the Zen tradition and we feel the pulse of the Zen master as a flesh-and-blood human being. This book is as much about understanding Zen as it is about the life and work of Keido Fukushima, the current Abbot of Tofukuji temple-monastery in Kyoto, Japan. Prof. Harris first came into contact with Fukushima, a Rinzai Zen monk, in 1973. By combining key aspects of the Roshi’s Zen with a compelling narrative containing many stories from their long and rich friendship, the author has created a work which is both an excellent and accessible introduction to Zen and a biography of one of the most important living Zen Masters of our time. The Laughing Buddha of Tokufuji also contains numerous photographs of Roshi Fukushima, and six original calligraphies by the Master of his most well known Zen Koans–This text refers to the Digital edition.
From the Publisher
Whether you have known Keido Fukushima for decades or are encountering him for the first time through the pages of this intimate portrait, we all have the pleasure of meeting him as if he were an old and dear friend. Samples of his calligraphy provide further glimpses into the heart and mind of a leading Zen master of the modern world. Roshi Fukushima, as the Japanese Zen master is called, is generally sparing with personal details of his life. Even old friends of his, however, will be surprised by some of the revelations Professor Ishwar Harris has managed to uncover and share with us in this volume. Through these intimate details the reader can feel the pulse of a Zen master as a flesh-and-blood human being. We can see into the heart of a man who happens to be a Zen master. This approach provides an extraordinary occasion to come into touch with Zen Buddhism through one modern master’s life, love, and laughter. The Zen Buddhist tradition, as Professor Harris mentions, is said to begin with the selfless smile of Buddha’s disciple Mahakasyapa. Zen springs to life when we share the joy of this “open secret.” See if you don’t find yourself breaking into a broad smile and beaming with delight every now and then as you read through this account.
About the Author
Professor Ishwar Harris is a professor of religion, an expert on India’s culture and civilization, an author of books and articles, and a musician. He has devoted his career to studying Eastern religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, though he is also very knowledgeable in Hinduism, Buddhism in general, and Islam. He currently is the Synod Professor of Religious Studies at the College of Wooster in Ohio, where he has been since 1981.
Excerpted from The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji : The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima (Spiritual Masters) by Ishwar C. Harris. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Roshi Keido Fukushima’s eyes glow with excitement as he narrates the story of the rebuilding of the Kin Zan temple complex. There is no doubt that this project is one of the great achievements of his life. The first thing to be constructed was a road in order that the people could come up the mountain by automobiles. Slowly the construction of the main complex began. The Buddhists of Koshu City began collecting money and the resources to aid in the project. In 1999, Tofukuji in Kyoto celebrated 750th memorial services for the master Bukkan and invited a large delegation of the Chinese Buddhists to attend. In May 2000, through the efforts of the Roshi, 270 Japanese Buddhists visited the Kin Zan temple together. Presently the construction of the main complex, including eight big halls, has been completed. Roshi Fukushima is pleased that some lay people are beginning to come to the temple for ceremonies. Although currently there is no resident priest there, there are ten monks who live there. The images of Sakyamuni, Bodhisattvas, and other deities are in the process of being enshrined. To the Roshi’s amazement, small villages and some shops are beginning to be visible in the vicinity. He sees that “as a good sign for the future of Kin Zan’s development.” It was a momentous occasion for the Roshi when, on May 9, 1986, Prince Charles visited Tofukuji. He found the Prince to be “utterly charming and most delightful.” Prince Charles was inquisitive and wanted to learn about the monastic life and sitting meditation. Roshi Fukushima seized the opportunity to give him a tour of the temple complex and also to tell him something about Zen. When the discussion centered on the monks, Prince Charles reportedly commented, “So they are training to have an empty mind, aren’t they?” The Roshi remembers, “I thought, this is the chance. I passionately explained to him that the heart of Zen is mushin. It is usually translated as ‘empty mind’ or ‘no mind’ but that is not enough. I told him that when our mind is empty, we can accept and react to anything freely. So it is more appropriate to say that mushin is free mind, fresh mind, and creative mind.” As they walked toward the main Zen garden, the Prince saw about twenty Zen monks and students meditating. He exclaimed, “Oh, wonderful!” He asked the Roshi many questions about Zen, which the Roshi answered. As they reached a porch, the media asked them to pose for a picture. The Prince was concerned whether this was a place of meditation. With his sense of humor, Keido responded, “No Sir, this is where you get your pictures taken.” Both had a hearty laugh. Prince Charles overstayed his designated length of visit by fifteen minutes and enjoyed his tour. As they pleasantly parted company, Roshi Fukushima remarked, “Please come again and let us do zazen together,” to which the Prince responded, “That is a good idea.”
