Below is a letter written by Misha Shungen Merrill, who is acting as the liaison between Keido Roshi’s family, Kannon Do Zen Center, and the larger Zen community for the time being.
Dear Dharma Friends,
It is with great sadness that we write to let you know of the passing of Kakuzen Keido Les Kaye, Roshi, on the evening of Saturday, September 5th, after a brief period of hospice care at Stanford University.
Keido Roshi was the founder of Kannon Do Zen Center and its abbot for almost 40 years. He was originally ordained as a monk by Suzuki Shunryu Roshi and then received Dharma Transmission in 1988 from Shunryu’s son, Suzuki Hoitsu Roshi. Keido Roshi was a founding member of the SZBA and in addition to teaching and running the temple, he was the author of several books including: Zen at Work, Joyously Through the Days, A Sense of Something Greater and, most recently, I Had a Good Teacher.
Keido Roshi gave Dharma Transmission to five disciples: Misha Shungen Merrill, Jean-Yves Seijo LeClerc, Patty Etsudo Krahl, Harold Jintei Little, and Cornelia Junfu Shonkwiler, all of whom went on to lead other Zen groups. In addition, he ordained more than 20 priests and gave dozens of lay ordinations until a couple of years ago when his health no longer allowed him to do so.
Kannon Do opened the zendo and sangha house all day Sunday, Sept. 6th following his passing for sangha members to sit, offer incense and be together in honor of his passing. A funeral/memorial is being planned for later in the year at Kannon Do Zen Center; Norman Fischer, Sensei, will be the officiant.
Keido Roshi is survived by his wife Mary, and daughter, Margaret. The family has requested that there be no phone, text, or emails at this time. However, if you wish to send cards of condolence to the family, you may direct them to: Mary and Margaret Kay c/o Webster House, 401 Webster St, Apt. 403, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
With deep bows,
The students of Keido Roshi
