Ama Samy

Ama Samy (Arul Maria Arokiasamy), born in 1936, is an Indian Zen master.^[1][2][3][4]

Ama Samy
Title	Zen master Jesuit
Personal life
Born	1936
Religious life
Religion	Zen Buddhism, Christianity
School	Bodhi Sangha
Lineage	Harada-Yasutani
Senior posting
Teacher	Yamada Koun
Website	www.kanzeonzendo.in

Biography

Ama Samy was born to Christian parents in Burma in 1936 and grew up in India. After becoming a Jesuit 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.^[5][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).^[6]

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.^[7][3][8] Ama Samy's method of teaching embraces both Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions and draws from the resources of Christianity and other religions.^[5] He founded two Zen centers near Kodaikanal in South India, Bodhi Zendo (opened in 1996) and Kanzeon Zendo (opened in 2022). He currently lives and teaches at Kanzeon Zendo.^[9] 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.^[4] Since Father Lassalle first invited Ama Samy to join him on a tour of Europe in 1985, Ama Samy has spent several months each year leading retreats in Europe, Australia, and the USA.^[5][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.^[10]

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^[7][11]
• Johannes Fischer (b. 1957), Zen master, resides in Germany, separated from Bodhi Sangha in 2018^[7][12]
• Carl Hooper (b. 1943), Zen master, resides in Australia^[7][13][14]
• Gert Lüderitz (b. 1950), Zen master, resides in Germany^[7][15]
• Mathew, Cyril Antony, SJ (b. 1970), Zen master, resides in India^[7][16]
• Angela Pliske (b. 1937), Sensei (Zen teacher), resides in Czech Republic^[7]
• Olaf Strelcyk (b. 1978), Zen master, resides in the United States^[7][17][18]

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