Transmition Line
Zen can only be taught from heart to heart, from being to being, from master to disciple. Thus the relationship of master-disciple is of paramount importance in Zen Buddhism. Ever since the Shakyamuni Buddha, Zen Buddhism has been transmitted from master to disciple, generation after generation. The spiritual genealogy tree of Zen Buddhism has its roots in the Shakyamuni Buda, and has developed different lineages throughout history. The lineage that we present here is the one carried into our community by master Dokushô Villalba Oshô.
Kodo Sawaki Roshi was one of the great masters in the modern history of Japanese Zen. He was known as “Kodo with no dwelling”, because he refused to live in a temple, and preferred to travel around the country, travelling on his own, teaching Zazen in prisons, factories, universities, and in any place where there were people willing to listen to the Dharma and to practice it.
He taught at the Zen University of Komazawa, and he was also a teacher in Soji-ji, the second monastery of the Zen order in Japan. His teaching can be summarised by two points: accuracy in Zazen practice and constant study of Shobogenzo of Master Dogen.
He died in 1966, after having taught all his life to both lay people and monks. His body was given to the Medical School at Tokyo’s University, in fulfilment of his will.
Among his main disciples, we have to mention Shuyu Narita Roshi, Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, Suzuki Kakuzen Roshi and Taisen Deshimaru Roshi.
Shuyu Narita Roshi was the first disciple confirmed in the Dharma by Kodo Sawaki. In 1977, for the celebrations of the tenth anniversary of Taisen Deshimaru Roshi’s mission in Europe, he visited Europe for the first time, invited by master Deshimaru. In April 1983, Shuyu Narita Roshi transmitted the Dharma to Taiten Guareschi, one of the oldest of Deshimaru´s disciples, and the driving force of Zen in Italy. In April 1986, Shuyu Narita Roshi transmitted the essence of his teaching to Ludger Tenryu Tenbreul, another old disciple of Taisen Deshimaru, and now president of the German Zen Association.
After Taisen Deshimaru Roshi´s death, Dokusho Villalba continued studying the Dharma under the guidance of Shuyu Narita Roshi. In 1987, he was confirmed as his legitimate successor.
Taisen Deshimaru Roshi was born in Saga, Japan, in 1914. He studied Social Sciences and Economics in Tokyo, and worked for several years for Mitsubishi, then the first company of Japan. When he was still young, he met Kodo Sawaki and very soon became his disciple. In the next thirty years he followed his master everywhere. After Kodo Sawaki`s death, Deshimaru Roshi came to Europe, an event that marked a turning point in both the history of Zen Buddhism and European culture.
He was the first master authorized by the Japanese Soto Zen School to implant in Europe the seeds of Zen. In fifteen years of constant striving, exclusively dedicated to expand the Dharma and to train the first European Zen monks, Deshimaru Roshi embodied the Zen spirit transmitted by the Patriarchs. More than one hundred and fifty centres founded throughout the continent, and more than three hundred ordained monks, and thousands of lay disciples confirm him as the first Zen Patriarch in Europe.
Taisen Deshimaru Roshi received the Dharma transmission from Yamada Reirin Zenji, abbot of Eiheiji, one of the greatest Zen Japanese monasteries. His sudden death prevented him from transmitting his lineage to his European disciples.