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News of the Buddhist World

Maurine Stuart, Roshi, 1922-1990 Koun Yamada, Roshi, 1907-1989

Maurine Stuart, Roshi, one ofthe foremostofcontemporary Koun Yamada, Roshi (1907-1989), a prominent teacher American teachers, died of cancer on February 26, 1990 from a distinguished Japanese that helped bring Zen to in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was 67. the West, died last September in Kamakura Japan after a long Maurine Stuart was born in the Canadian prairies of Sas­ illness. He was 82. Yamada Roshi was the closest disciple and katchewan, in a house that had no plumbing or electricity but a heir of Haku'un Yasutani, Roshi (1885-1973). This was filled with culture. Before she was three, Maurine insisted lineage, beginning with Dai'un Harada, Roshi (1871-1961) that her mother teach herhow toplay the piano. Later, Maurine revolutionizedandreinvigoratedJapaneseZenwithitsempha­ Stuart would become an accomplished concert pianist. sis on teaching lay people, giving public lectures (unorthodox Stuart Roshi received authority to teach from Rinzai Zen at the time) and incorporating Rinzai study into Soto Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) in 1982. She taught practice. Yasutani Roshi was instrumental in the transmission primarily at the Cambridge Buddhist Association, a non­ of Dharma from East to West, leading sesshins in the United residential center in Old Cambridge. In addition to leading States throughout the 1960's. retreats, she would visit students in their homes, encouraging In an amazing coincidence of history, Yamada's high them to express their Zen practice outside the zendo. school roommate was Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984). Soen, Stuart Roshi was known for her eloquence, refinement, and later to be a Zen Master himself, was yet another seminal figure creativity. Her students remember her as warm-hearted, joy­ in the transmission of Dharma from East to West. ous, and strong. She held unswerving confidence in each Yamada Roshi was a layman; he studied at Tokyo Imperial person's ability to find his or her own way. Her last words to Unversity, graduating with a law degree in 1930. Later, he her were, ''Please continue your practice. You know commuted daily from Kamakura to his job as a hospital what to do." administrator in Tokyo. In 1974 he gave Our condolences to her sangha and the many who were to Robert Aitken in Hawaii. Yamada Roshi is succeeded by touchedby Maurine Stuart, Roshi' s heart and spirit. Memorial two Japanese Dharma heirs as well. contributions may be sent to Cambridge Buddhist Association, 75 Sparks Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or Ahimsa Founda­ Ifyou have a news item ofgeneral interest to the Buddhist tion for Animals, 7 Vine Street, Marion, MA 02738. community, please submit it to: News, PRIMARY POINT, 528 Pound Road, Cumberland, RI 02864. Deadline for the Summer1990 issue is May 1.

PROVIDENCE ZEN CENTER has seeks PRIMARY POINT seeks help in dis­ work-study residencies available this We would volunteers to help prepare a book on tributing periodical. to serious students to ex­ like to make PRIMARY POINT the eight American Ji Do Poep Sa wishing . Zen training for a limited available in alternative book Nims. Ellen Sidor (first Editor of perience stores, Work-study residents health food stores and other PRIMARY POINT) has collected tapes, period. receive room and board, and par­ outlets. You can also letters and biographical information on receptive in retreats, Zen Center this each teacher. We need help with the ticipate daily practice, help your way, by and Providence Zen its name and address on next step. Tapes need to be reviewed workshops. stamping Center's current work needs the cover or a and excerpted; chapters need to be inserting flyer. include skilled maintenance and Contact PRIMARY 528 organized. A challenging project for an POINT, office For information write Pound RI a for a help. Road, Cumberland, , individual, perfect opportunity 528 Pound RI 'few Zen Center members to work Road, Cumberland, 02864. Telephone (401) 658-1476. 02864 or call 658-1464. 'together (perhaps editing material (401) about Contact your Guiding Teacher). /:: Director, Kwan Um School of Zen, 528 ...... Pound Road, Cumberland, RI 02864. A book is being compiled on SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND VALUES FOR Telephone (401-658-1476). CHILDREN. Please submit poems, stories, and other materials to: David Jordan, 2011 East Indian Head Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301, or call (904) 656-0530.

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