Higher education Shunryū Suzuki

in 1924 shunryu enrolled in soto preparatory school in tokyo not far shogan-ji, lived on school grounds in dorm. 1925 1926 suzuki did zen training dojun kato in shizuoka @ kenko-in. continued schooling during period. here shunryu became head monk 100-day retreat, after no longer merely considered novice. had completed training head monk.

in 1925 shunryu graduated preparatory school , entered komazawa university, soto zen university in tokyo. during period continued connections so-on in zoun-in, going , forth whenever possible.

some of teachers here discussing how soto zen might reach bigger audience students and, while shunryu couldn t comprehend how western cultures ever understand zen, intrigued.

on august 26, 1926, so-on gave dharma transmission suzuki. 22. shunryu s father retired abbot @ shogan-ji same year, , moved family onto grounds of zoun-in served inkyo (retired abbot).

later year suzuki spent short time in hospital tuberculosis, recovered. in 1927 important chapter in suzuki s life turned. went visit teacher in england had @ komazawa named miss nona ransom, woman had taught english such people last emperor of china, pu-yi, , more wife, last empress of china, jigoro kano (the founder of judo), children of chinese president li yuanhong, , members of japanese royal family. hired him day translator , errands. through period realized ignorant of japanese culture , religion of buddhism. respected little , saw idol worship. 1 day, when there no chores done, 2 had conversation on buddhism changed mind. let suzuki teach zazen meditation. experience significant in suzuki realized western ignorance of buddhism transformed.

on january 22, 1929, so-on retired abbot of zoun-in , installed shunryu 28th abbot. sogaku run temple shunryu. in january 1930 ten e ceremony held @ zoun-in shunryu. ceremony acknowledged so-on s dharma transmission shunryu, , served formal way soto heads grant shunryu permission teach priest. on april 10, 1930, @ age 25, suzuki graduated komazawa daigakurin major in zen , buddhist philosophy, , minor in english.

suzuki mentioned so-on during period might interested in going america teach zen buddhism. so-on adamantly opposed idea. suzuki realized teacher felt close him , take such departure insult. did not mention him again.