Ama Samy
Ama Samy is the first Indian Zen master. He studied under Yamada Koun Roshi of the Sanbokyodan in Japan (see his memoir The Journey of an Indian Zen Master). Ama Samy is the founder and patriarch of the Bodhi Sangha Zen School. The mother house of Bodhi Sangha is the Kanzeon Zendo in Perumalmalai, where Ama Samy lives and teaches.
The ancient classification described five Zen schools: Guiyang School (Jap. Igyo), Linji School (Jap. Rinzai), Caodong School (Jap. Soto), Fayan School, and Yunmen School. Nowadays, many new schools have sprung up like mushrooms. Most of them are of the Soto variety, and many of them are affiliated with the Sanbokyodan. To establish a new school, there must be an original teaching that is different from the mother school, with an awakened and competent master with authority to lead. Bodhi Sangha meets these criteria. The understanding and interpretation of Zen koans in Bodhi Sangha is not the same as in Sanbokyodan or in the Rinzai tradition.
Bodhi Zendo was the first Zen Center founded by Ama Samy. He appointed Cyril Mathew as the Zen teacher there and moved to Kanzeon Zendo in 2022 to continue teaching his advanced students. Ama Samy is a member of the Society of Jesus. Since his transition to Kanzeon Zendo, however, he considers his relationship to be of a different kind.
Ama Samy has students from all over the world, from Australia to America. He has appointed some of them as Zen masters and teachers:
- Olaf Muyōju, Associate Zen master in the United States
- Gert Lüderitz, Zen teacher in Germany
- Cyril Mathew, Zen teacher in India
- Carl Hooper, Zen teacher in Australia
- Heidemarie Kern, Zen teacher in Germany †
- Angela Pliske, Zen teacher in the Czech Republic (not active)
All these Zen masters and teachers need further training with Ama Samy.
Ama Samy also started some social projects for the poor and the marginalized. Two such projects are the Montessori Kindergarten in Perumalmalai and the PEARL Center near Paramakudi. These projects do not only run schools for poor children but also engage in social work in the surrounding areas.
The Montessori school is run by Chitra Kala and some dedicated Sangha members. The two social projects are supported by students, friends, and other well-wishers. Without such help these projects could not continue. Ama Samy is grateful for all the help and support. For more details on how you can contribute and participate, please see the respective pages.
Ama Samy has written many books to guide and help his students. His latest book is Peace, be Peace.
See also:
For an English language copy of Ama Samy’s memoir, please send us an email at kanzeonzendo@gmail.com.
