Brooklyn Zen Center | A New York City Soto Zen Buddhist Temple
Hoitsu Suzuki

Hoitsu Suzuki is a Soto Zen priest and a Dharma heir of his late father, Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. He became the abbot of Rinsoin temple in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Ken, when he was 27 years old in October of 1966. After his father’s death, he gave Dharma Transmission to Sojun Mel Wietsman, Jakusho Kwong, and Keido Les Kaye. Since the death of his father, he has continued to support the San Francisco Zen Center by participating in Abbot/Abbess installation ceremonies and other formal ceremonies. In addition to his duties as the Abbot of Rinsoin, Hoitsu has been a member of the Civil Mediation Board for Yaizu City and was recognized for this work by the Emperor of Japan. In 2006 he was named the Tanto of Eiheiji. In 2008 he became the Assistant Director of Eiheiji and in the fall of 2009 he was named the Godo of Eiheiji. Although he works tirelessly at Eihieji, he continues to serve as the Abbot of Rinsoin.