Aoyama Roshi, an old friend

When Rev. Ben Connelly was in Japan this spring, he had the very special opportunity to meet with Shundo Aoyama Roshi. A revered nun, illustrious training abbess, and author of Zen Seeds, she was the first woman to be appointed to the rank of Daikyoshi (Great Teacher) in the Soto Zen school and is now considered a living treasure.
Meeting with Ben, Aoyama Roshi was eager to talk about her friendship with Katagiri Roshi. They had gone to college together at Komazawa University, where she was one of the first nuns to receive a Master of Arts degree. She told Ben that Katagiri Roshi was one of her early and strongest supporters. Throughout her career, he supported her moving up and pushing through barriers to her authority. He was also the first person to invite her to the United States, one of only two trips she has made here.
Hearing this story warmed my heart. I see that Katagiri Roshi was already a staunch supporter of parity for women in Zen long before he arrived in the West.
 
Peace, Andrea

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