Philip Kapleau papers, 1952-2009 and undated
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- Kapleau, Philip, 1912-2004
- Abstract:
- Zen Buddhist teacher and author of "The Three Pillars of Zen." Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Kapleau was a chief court reporter for the Nuremberg Trials and also covered the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. While in Japan for the trials, he met and was influenced by D.T. Suzuki and other Zen practitioners, which led him to become a serious student of Zen in Japan. Eventually, he returned to the United States and founded the Rochester Zen Center (New York) in 1966. Most of the papers relate to Kapleau's role as a Zen teacher, to his writings, and to personal concerns such as his health and Parkinson's disease. Some of Kapleau's notes are written in shorthand, and there are some materials in Japanese. The recorded teishos (dharma talks) were mainly recorded during sesshin (retreats) and span 30 years. According to the tape labels, there are various speakers including Kapleau, Toni Packer, and Bodhin Kjolhede (all of whom led the Rochester Zen Center at different times).
- Extent:
- 24 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11661
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Papers related to Kapleau's role as a Zen teacher, to his writings, and to his personal concerns such as his health and Parkinson's disease. He corresponded with students and Zen practitioners all over the world and kept copies of his responses. There are a few notable letters from the 1950s, one from D.T. Suzuki and one from Hakuun Yasutani (written to Kapleau's sister Jean Kapleau). Many of the letters are from people who learned about Kapleau by reading his book, "The Three Pillars of Zen." Other letters pertain to the Rochester Zen Center (New York) and many other Zen centers. The subject files contain articles (many that are written by others), clippings, newsletters, and notes related to politics, animal rights, religion, environmentalism, Zen workshops, psychotherapy, travel, and health and diet. Some of Kapleau's notes are written in shorthand and there are some materials in Japanese. The recorded teishos (dharma talks) were mainly recorded during sesshin (retreats). According to the tape labels, there are various speakers including Kapleau, Toni Packer, and Bodhin Kjolhede (all of whom led the Rochester Zen Center at different times).
- Biographical / historical:
-
Zen Buddhist teacher and author of several books, including "The Three Pillars of Zen." Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Kapleau was a chief court reporter for the Nuremberg Trials, and he also covered the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. While in Japan for the trials, he met and was influenced by D.T. Suzuki and other Zen practitioners. He returned to the United States and attended classes taught by D.T. Suzuki at Columbia University. He then decided to go back to Japan and to become a serious student of Zen. He stayed in Japan for 13 years and studied with Zen Master Hakuun Yasutani and others. Eventually, he returned to the United States and founded the Rochester Zen Center (New York) in 1966. He is credited with spreading Zen Buddhism to Westerners through his writings and teachings.
- Acquisition information:
- The Philip Kapleau Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2018 and 2019.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Laurin Penland and Kamilla Pinter, November 2018. Revised by Laurin Penland, March 2019.
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2018-0019, 2019-0018, 2019-0071.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged into three series: Correspondence, Subject Files, and Recorded Teishos (Dharma talks). Original file names were maintained when possible.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Access note. Original audiovisual materials are closed to use. Contact Research Services in advance to request the production of listening or viewing copies.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], The Philip Kapleau Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1gk8h