Joshu Sasaki

Joshu Sasaki was a renowned Zen Buddhist teacher and founder of the Mount Baldy Zen Center in California. Born in Japan in 1913, he brought traditional Japanese Zen practices to the United States, influencing many students. Known for his rigorous teaching style, Sasaki emphasized mindfulness, meditation, and direct experience to attain spiritual awakening. His teachings helped popularize Zen Buddhism in America, bridging Eastern spiritual practices with Western audiences. He passed away in 2014, leaving a significant legacy in contemporary Zen practice and American Buddhist communities.