OZEKI TORIN (尾関宗園)

Ozeki Sōen 尾関宗園, 1932-

Born in Nara Prefecture in 1932, Soen Ozeki entered the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 18. After graduating from Nara University of Education he wandered as a monk for seven years before becoming a priest at Daitoku-ji Temple, Daisen-in in Kyoto in 1965. Also known as Ozeki Tōrin 尾関桃林.  Abbot of Daisen-in, Daitoku-ji.

He practiced Zen under (Ootsu) Rekido Joyu in Shokoku-ji monastery. He became the abbot of Jiko-in in Nara in 1956 and moved to Daisen-in in 1965. He's an incredibly friendly, warm, outgoing dynamic man and clearly loves people. He's one of the most famous priests in Japan, and frequently appears on TV. He is a poet, artist, and designer. A fascinating character - and he is a "character" - and surprisingly quite funny. Very generous with himself you can feel his dynamism.