In Memorium: Genki Roshi

Genki Takabayashi Roshi, who played a major role in Birankai’s Zen training, died on Feb. 24, 2013. Our sincere condolences to Genki Roshi’s family and friends and the members of the Chobo-ji Zen Temple in Seattle.

The following is a remembrance by Genjo Osho from the Chobo-Ji website:

Genki Takabayashi Roshi, Chobo-Ji’s founding abbot, dropped his body five hours after returning home late last night to be with his wife and cat in the town of Victor, Montana.

I was with him the weekend before last when he was in a rehab hospital in Missoula. At that time he was deciding whether to rally once more or let go. He died from complications from a car accident last December and congestive heart failure.  Before I departed and said my goodbyes he asked me to make him one last bowl of matcha, he took three sips and then bid me farewell. His decision was made.

The Chobo-Ji will be chanting Great Compassionate Dharani for him at every scheduled zazen service through this coming Sunday. There is a small grave side memorial being planned for him in Victor Montana this coming Monday. In 49 days, April 14th, there will be a major celebration of his life here in Seattle at Chobo-Ji.

With gassho,

Genjo

One Reply to “In Memorium: Genki Roshi”

  1. My favorite memories of Sesshin with Genki Roshi: Catching a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of his feet taking tiny, tiny steps across the mat as he approached with the keisaku. Then his keisaku strike — like a bolt of lightning that energized the whole being!

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