Ama Samy

Ama Samy (Arul Maria Arokiasamy), S.J., born in 1936, is an Indian Zen master and Jesuit priest.[1][2][3]

Ama Samy
TitleZen master
Jesuit
Personal
Born1936
ReligionZen Buddhism, Christianity
SchoolBodhi Sangha
LineageHarada-Yasutani
Senior posting
TeacherYamada Koun
Websitebodhisangha.net
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Biography

Ama Samy was born to Christian parents in Burma in 1936 and grew up in India. After becoming a Jesuit priest in 1972, he began visiting Hindu ashrams and Buddhist meditation centers. He was introduced to Ramana Maharshi's teachings by Swami Abhishiktananda. His searching led him to become a wandering beggar for a period and to settle down as a hermit.[4][3] With the help of Father Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, he visited Japan and trained with Yamada Koun Roshi of Sanbo Kyodan. In 1982, Yamada Roshi authorized him to teach Zen.[1][2][3] He received the Japanese Dharma name Gen'un-ken (Gen: dark, obscure, mystery; Un: cloud).[5]

Ama Samy founded the Bodhi Sangha, the community of his disciples, in 1986. Bodhi Sangha became an independent Zen school when he left the Sanbo Kyodan organization in 2002.[6][3][7] Ama Samy's method of teaching embraces both Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions and draws from the resources of Christianity and other religions.[4] He lives and teaches at Bodhi Zendo Zen Center near Kodaikanal in South India (opened in 1996).[8] Since Father Lassalle first invited Ama Samy to join him on a tour to Europe in 1985, Ama Samy has spent several months each year leading retreats in Europe, Australia, and the US.[4][3] With the help of his students, he also runs Little Flower, a non-profit organization supporting women, children and landless people in South India.[9]

Dharma Successors

Ama Samy has appointed the following teachers:

  • de:Stefan Bauberger (b. 1960), Zen master, resides in Germany, separated from Bodhi Sangha in 2009[6][10]
  • Johannes Fischer (b. 1957), Zen master, resides in Germany, separated from Bodhi Sangha in 2018[6][11]
  • Carl Hooper (b. 1943), Zen master, resides in Australia[6][12][13]
  • Gert Lüderitz (b. 1950), Zen master, resides in Germany[6]
  • Mathew, Cyril Antony, SJ (b. 1970), Zen master, resides in India[6]
  • Angela Pliske (b. 1937), Sensei (Zen teacher), resides in Czech Republic[6]
  • Olaf Strelcyk (b. 1978), Zen master, resides in the United States[6][14]

Books

In English:

  • Samy, Ama (2013). Zen: The Wayless Way. ASIN B00K7Z645S.
  • Samy, Ama (2012). Zen: The Great Way has No Gates. ISBN 978-9381597248.
  • Samy, Ama (2010). Zen: Ancient and Modern, The Way to Heart-Mind. ISBN 978-9380253411.
  • Samy, Ama (2007). The Zen Way: Tradition, Transmission, Challenges. ISBN 978-8189882143.
  • Samy, Ama (2006). Zen Meditation for Life and Death, Christians and Therapists. ISBN 978-8186778555.
  • Samy, Ama (2005). Zen: Awakening to Your Original Face. ISBN 978-8185602868.
  • Samy, Ama (2002). Zen Heart, Zen Mind: The Teachings of Zen Master Ama Samy. ISBN 978-8185602813.

In German:

  • Samy, Ama (2014). ZEN - Der große Weg ist ohne Tor. ISBN 978-3899018127.
  • Samy, Ama (2007). Zen - Praxis und Dialog. ISBN 978-3932337079.
  • Samy, Ama (2005). Zen und Erleuchtung: Zehn Meditationen eines Zen Meisters. ISBN 978-3896202567.
  • Samy, Ama (2002). Zen: Erwachen zum ursprünglichen Gesicht. ISBN 978-3896201928.
  • Samy, Ama (1995). Warum Bodhidharma in den Westen kam oder kann es ein europäisches Zen geben?. ISBN 978-3895680052.
  • Samy, Ama (1991). Leere und Fülle. Zen aus Indien in christlicher Praxis. ISBN 978-3466203505.

In Dutch:

  • Samy, Ama (2006). Zen Hart, Zen Geest - op zoek naar je Oorspronkelijk Gelaat. ISBN 978-9056701369.
  • Samy, Ama (1998). Waarom kwam Bodhidharma naar het Westen? de ontmoeting van zen met het Westen. ISBN 978-9056700249.

In French:

  • Samy, Ama (2010). Coeur zen, esprit zen: Les enseignements du maître zen Ama Samy. ISBN 978-2354320492.

In Spanish:

  • Samy, Ama (1998). Por qué Bodhidharma vino a occidente? La Transmisión del Zen: problemas, peligros y promesa. ISBN 978-8493622718.
  • Samy, Ama (1995). Vacío Y Plenitud: Zen de la India en la práctica cristiana. ISBN 978-8428517393.

In Swedish:

  • Samy, Ama (1997). Om överföringen av Zen till väst - Varfö kom Bodhidharma till väst?. ISBN 978-9163052521.

See also

Hakuun Yasutani Lineage Chart

References
  1. Sharf, Robert H. (1995). Sanbokyodan, Zen and the Way of the New Religions. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, Vol. 22, 3-4, pp. 417-458.
  2. Kyosho no. 231 (1991), Newsletter of the Religious Foundation Sanbokyodan, edited by Sanbokoryukai.
  3. Baatz, Ursula (2009). Erleuchtung trifft Auferstehung, Zen-Buddhismus und Christentum, eine Orientierung. pp. 185–195. ISBN 978-3783195286.
  4. Samy, Ama (2005). Zen: Awakening to Your Original Face. pp. 26–33. ISBN 978-8185602868.
  5. Habito, Ruben L. F. (1990). In Memoriam: Yamada Koun Roshi (1907-1989). Buddhist-Christian Studies, Vol. 10, 1990 (1990), pp. 231-237.
  6. Ciolek, T. Matthew. 1995-present. Sanbo Kyodan: Harada-Yasutani School of Zen Buddhism and its Teachers. Canberra: www.ciolek.com - Asia Pacific Research Online. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2018-10-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Bodhi Sangha".
  8. "Bodhi Zendo".
  9. http://www.little-flower.de/?lang=en
  10. http://www.zen-guide.de/zen/zentren/id/286&titel=Schule+des+Herzgrundes
  11. "Über mich | Zen | Johannes Fischer".
  12. "Carl Hooper, Australia".
  13. "Bodhimountzendo: TEACHER".
  14. "Teachers | Loveland Zen".
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