Philip Kapleau
Born in 1912
Philip Kapleau was a pioneering figure in bringing Zen Buddhism to the West.
After serving as a court reporter at the Nuremberg and Tokyo war crimes trials, he spent 13 years studying Zen in Japan.
Upon returning to the United States, he founded the Rochester Zen Center and authored several influential books on Zen practice.
Kapleau's approach blended elements of both Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions, emphasizing rigorous meditation practice and the importance of integrating Zen insights into everyday life.
His teachings and writings have had a significant impact on the development of Western Zen, particularly in North America.
