Eihei-ji and Sōji-ji Shunryū Suzuki

upon graduation komazawa, so-on wanted shunryu continue training @ known soto zen temple eihei-ji in fukui prefecture. in september 1930 suzuki entered training temple , underwent zen initiation known tangaryo. mother , father stayed on @ zoun-in care temple in absence.

eihei-ji 1 of largest zen training facilities in japan, , abbot @ time gempo kitano-roshi. prior coming japan, kitano head of soto zen in korea. 1 of founders of zenshuji, soto zen temple located in los angeles, california. suzuki s father , kitano had tense history between them. sogaku had trained kitano in zen training , felt such high priest due familial status , connections. shunryu did not see in kitano, however. saw humble man gave clear instruction, , shunryu realized father wrong in assessment.

often monks assigned duties @ monastery serve masters. shunryu assigned ian kishizawa-roshi, known teacher @ time had studied under 2 great japanese teachers: oka sotan , nishiari bokusan. renowned scholar on dōgen s shōbōgenzō, , acquaintance of father childhood.

kishizawa strict not abusive, treating suzuki well. suzuki learned him, , kishizawa saw lot of potential in him. through him suzuki came appreciate importance of bowing in zen practice through example. in december suzuki sat first true sesshin 7 days, ordeal challenging proved rewarding toward end. concluded first practice period @ eihei-ji.

in september 1931, after 1 more practice period , sesshin @ eihei-ji, so-on arranged suzuki train in yokohama @ sōji-ji. sōji-ji other main soto temple of japan, , again suzuki underwent harsh tangaryo initiation. sojiji founded great zen master keizan , had more relaxed atmosphere eihei-ji. @ sōji-ji suzuki travelled zoun-in attend temple.

in 1932 so-on came sōji-ji visit shunryu and, after hearing of suzuki s contentment @ temple, advised him leave it. in april of year suzuki left sōji-ji regret , moved zoun-in, living family there. in may visited ian kishizawa eiheiji and, so-on s blessing, asked continue studies under him. went gyokuden-in instruction, kishizawa trained him hard in zazen , conducted personal interviews him.

sometime during period suzuki married woman contracted tuberculosis. date , name of woman unknown, marriage annulled. went live family while focused on duties @ zoun-in.

suzuki reportedly involved anti-war activities during world war ii, according david chadwick, record confusing and, @ most, actions low-key. however, considering wholesale enthusiastic support war expressed entire religious establishment in japan @ time, fact significant in showing of character of man.