Celebrating Katagiri Roshi on His Birthday

Dainin Katagiri Roshi was born on this day in 1928. January 19 is also widely recognized as the birthdate of Eihei Dogen Zenji (1200-1253), who founded Soto Zen in Japan. I find it a delightful coincidence that Katagiri and Dogen share a birthday, as Katagiri Roshi was deeply devoted to the study of Dogen’s Shobogenzo and other writings. In Japan, however, the Soto School traditionally observes Dogen’s “official” birthday on January 26. In the United States, today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when we celebrate the legacy of our great civil rights leader (1929-1968). So, honoring all three men today, with deep appreciation for their great effort and all that has flowed from it.