Philip Kapleau was one of the founding fathers of American Zen. After 13 years undergoing Zen training in Japan under three Zen masters, he was ordained by Hakuun Yasutani-roshi in 1965 and given permission by him to teach. In 1966 he publishedThe Three Pillars of Zen and then founded the Rochester Zen Center. Roshi Kapleau died in May, 2004, at the age of 91.

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The following are just a few of Roshi Kapleau’s teisho.

Teisho

Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau: Mumonkan #38 “A Buffalo Goes Through a Window”

From October 1975 Sesshin, Day 1. A commentary on the koan and the teacher- student dynamic. Played on Founder’s Day – August 20, 2023. Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau.  Automated Transcript

Teisho by Roshi Kapleau: Hekiganroku #38, “Fuketsu and the Dharma Seal”

From December 1979 Sesshin, Day 7. Played on Founder’s Day – August 14, 2022. Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau.  Automated Transcript

Teisho by Roshi Kapleau: Mumonkan #3 “Gutei’s Finger”

From October 1976 Sesshin, Day 4. Played on Founder’s Day – August 16, 2020. Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau.

Teisho by Roshi Kapleau: Mumonkan #8 “Keichu’s Cart”

From November 1976 Sesshin, Day 5. Played on Founder’s Day – August, 18, 2019. Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau.

Teisho by Roshi Kapleau: Mumonkan #36 “Goso’s ‘No Words or Silence'”

From June 1975 Sesshin, Day 7. Played on Founder’s Day, August 19, 2018. Teisho by Roshi Philip Kapleau.