Houn Jiyu-Kennett

The Reverend Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924-1996) was a Zen Buddhist teacher of the Soto school.

Born in England with the name Peggy Kennett, she first became acquainted with Buddhism through the Theravada tradition. While working as a lecturer at the London Buddhist Society, she met D.T. Suzuki, who introduced her to Rinzai Zen. In 1962, after studying in China, she was invited to Japan by the Zen master Koho Zenji, from whom she received dharma transmission.

Following Koho Zenji's death, Rev. Jiyu-Kennett left Japan for San Francisco. In 1970, she founded the Zen Mission Society (later renamed the Society of Buddhist Contemplatives), and the following November founded Shasta Abbey at Mount Shasta, California.

Over the course of her lifetime, Jiyu-Kennett founded many Buddhist temples throughout the United States and Europe.

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