Biography Robert Baker Aitken

robert baker aitken , anne hopkins aitken

robert aitken born in philadelphia, pennsylvania in 1917, raised in hawaii age of five.

living in guam civilian working in construction—at onset of world war ii—he detained japanese , held in internment camps duration of war. in 1 such internment camp in kobe, japan in 1944 met scholar reginald horace blyth, whom had frequent discussions on zen buddhism , anarchism. @ conclusion of war returned hawaii , obtained b.a. in english literature , ma in japanese university of hawaii.

in late 1940s, while going classes briefly @ university of california in berkeley, california, met nyogen senzaki. in california hoping encounter krishnamurti, began study senzaki in los angeles. during period commitment leftist social issues - such pacifism , labor rights - became more vocal. result of advocacy, investigated during period fbi.

in 1950 went japan, under grant study haiku , followed senzaki s recommendation study zen there. there took part in first sesshin @ engaku-ji, temple in kamakura, japan. after, met nakagawa soen, persuaded him come stay @ ryutakuji next 7 months. during period soen took on ailing abbot of temple, yamamoto gempo. aitken came down case of dysentery, , returned home hawaii. married second wife anne hopkins in 1957 , made occasional trips japan. in 1957 aitken met hakuun yasutani , sat him first time.

in 1959 , anne began meditation group in honolulu @ residence, became known koko-an zendo. community gathered @ zendo named diamond sangha two. diamond sangha has affiliate zen centers in south america, australia, new zealand, united states , europe , known making rigors of traditional zen accessible lay practitioners.

in 1960 soen nakagawa roshi asked young monk eido tai shimano travel honolulu assist @ diamond sangha center.

in 1961, aitken made extended stay in japan study under haku un yasutani, ending studies soen. worked in various capacities @ east-west center , university of hawaii until 1969, when , anne moved maui, hawaii found maui zendo in haiku-pauwela. koun yamada rōshi invited lead diamond sangha , moved hawaii in 1971. in 1974 aitken given permission teach koun yamada, receiving full dharma transmission him in 1985.

robert aitken social activist through of adult life, beginning against nuclear testing during 1940s. outspoken critic of vietnam war, , became strong opponent of nuclear arms race between united states , soviet union. among earlier proponents of deep ecology in religious america, , outspoken in beliefs on equality of men , women. in 1978 aitken helped found buddhist peace fellowship, organization advocates conflict resolution globally.

aitken roshi died after brief bout pneumonia on august 5, 2010 in honolulu, oahu, hawaii.