Suzuki, D.T. - Timeline Biography
Time Period
10-18-1870 - 07-12-1966
Description
While studying to be a Zen monk in Japan, a teacher urged Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) to go to the United States and work for publisher Paul Carus, a philosopher who was publishing liberal pieces about interfaith thought. Suzuki remained in the U.S. from 1897-1909.
Returning to Japan, Suzuki married a practicing Theosophist, Beatrice Erskine Lane, in 1911, and the two founded an English-language Buddhist journal. In the 1950s, Suzuki returned to America to lecture and teach, influencing such notable celebrities as musician John Cage, novelist Jack Kerouac, poet Allen Gisnberg and Catholic monk Thomas Merton. He also founded the Cambridge Buddhist Association in Cambridge, Mass.
Suzuki popularized Zen Buddhism in America with books such as What is Zen? (1959). His essays and other writings also helped distill the practice of Zen, such as winnowing the ancient teachings down to 11 short, understandable propositions, making it palatable for western audiences.
Returning to Japan, Suzuki married a practicing Theosophist, Beatrice Erskine Lane, in 1911, and the two founded an English-language Buddhist journal. In the 1950s, Suzuki returned to America to lecture and teach, influencing such notable celebrities as musician John Cage, novelist Jack Kerouac, poet Allen Gisnberg and Catholic monk Thomas Merton. He also founded the Cambridge Buddhist Association in Cambridge, Mass.
Suzuki popularized Zen Buddhism in America with books such as What is Zen? (1959). His essays and other writings also helped distill the practice of Zen, such as winnowing the ancient teachings down to 11 short, understandable propositions, making it palatable for western audiences.
Interactive Timeline(s)
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Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: BuddhistBuddhist: Other ARDA Links
Buddhist: Religious Family Tree
Photographs
Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki portrait 2- Wikimedia Commons
Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki portrait- Wikimedia Commons
Book/Journal Source(s)
Tweed, Thomas A. and Stephen Prothero (Eds.), 1999. Asian Religions in America New York: Oxford University Press.Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
