Question
I would like to know why Master Kosen received shiho from Master Niwa Zenji’s lineage rather than Master Kodo Sawaki’s or Narita Shuyu Roshi’s lineage.
Anonymous
Master Kosen’s answer
To receive shiho from Kodo’s lineage, my master would have had to give it to me before he died, but he did not have time to give it to anyone. At his death, Kodo had not had time to give it to Deshimaru either. Deshimaru received it later from Japan’s highest Zen authority, Master Hata Zenji, then abbot of Eiheiji.
I followed this approach because only a master like Niwa Zenji, abbot of Eiheiji in my time, could stand in for a master like Deshimaru.
As for Narita Roshi, why didn’t I choose him to give me shiho? Why take a Citroën 2CV when you can afford a Porsche?
Kosen