Denkyo Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, Roshi

America

Dr. Robert Harmon and Gladys Weisbart, both members of the Joshu Zen Temple in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, had been independently trying to bring a Rinzai Zen monk to Los Angeles. Once they found out about each other's efforts, they began a united campaign. In Joshu Roshi, Dr. Harmon found an interested candidate. After working out the details by correspondence, the Kancho of Myoshin-ji, Daiko Furukawa Roshi, formally requested Joshu Roshi to begin teaching Zen in the United States.

Roshi arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on July 21, 1962, where he was met by his sponsor, Dr. Robert Harmon. Both men remember that Roshi, who had but a rudimentary command of English, carried with him both Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionaries.

Roshi began living initially in a garage at Dr. Harmon’s house. Dr. Harmon later rented a small house on Mariposa St. in Gardena, where Roshi took up residence. With few furnishings or amenities at first, the house was Roshi's residence by day and a Zendo at night.

He conducted Zen meetings on weeknights and Sunday mornings, as well as weekly meetings at the homes of some of his students. Roshi served as Jikijitsu, Shoji and Tenzo, while also giving Sanzen and leading the chants at the beginning of each meeting.

In November 1963, Roshi and his Zen students incorporated the Rinzai Zen Dojo Association. Over the next few years, as Roshi's reputation spread throughout Southern California, he led group Zazen in homes in the Hollywood Hills, Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills. When the Mariposa Zendo outgrew its quarters in 1966, the group started holding Zazen in office space donated by Harmon.