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Rochester Zen Center
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Rochester Zen Center

American Buddhist organization
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The Rochester Zen Center is an American Buddhist organization founded by Philip Kapleau in 1966. Kapleau was a leading figure in popularizing Zen Buddhism in the United States. Zen, derived from the Sanskrit word for "meditation," is an important school of East Asian Buddhism that emphasizes achieving spiritual awakening through direct experience and the guidance of a master.12

The center is a major venue for Zen meditation and education. Kapleau adapted Zen practices for Western culture, such as allowing practitioners to chant sutras in English and wear Western clothing during meditation. He stressed the importance of practice and mindfulness over philosophy or theology, viewing Zen as a way of life.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Philip Kapleau
  2. Zen

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