The Zen Studies Society acknowledges the complicated legacy of its deceased founding Abbot, Eido Tai Shimano. While grateful for his work and teaching, bringing Rinzai Zen practice from Japan to the US, we must also recognize and acknowledge with deep regret decades of harmful behavior and misconduct. This included damaging interactions with students and inappropriate sexual relationships. We apologize for the organization’s failure to intervene in a timely manner.
Since December 2010, when the Board of Directors of the Zen Studies Society required the founding Abbot to resign, the Society has undergone a fundamental transformation, guided by professional help and informed by the commitment to healing harmful effects where possible. The Zen Studies Society is committed, on all levels, to fostering an open, welcoming, safe environment for all.
If you were personally impacted by the behavior of Eido Shimano or others in a position of authority and wish to speak about it, please contact Senior Teacher Hokuto Daniel Diffin Osho at Hokuto@zenstudies.org.
For more information on how ZSS works to prevent misconduct, and on the history of ZSS, its temples, and Eido Shimano Roshi please see:
Zen Studies Society Preventing and Addressing Misconduct
If you have a concern about ethical behavior at ZSS, please contact the ethics committee at Ethics@zenstudies.org.
– Zen Studies Society Board of Directors, January 2, 2025
