Albert Low, long-time director of the Montreal Zen Centre, has passed away, peacefully in his sleep, during the early morning hours of January 27th, 2016.
Gate, gate, para gate, para sam gate. Bodhi, sva ha.
Here is the statement from the Montreal Zen Centre:
We at the Montreal Zen Center are mourning the recent death of our esteemed teacher, Albert Low.
In the nineteen sixties and seventies Albert was the student of Hakuun Yasutani and later Philip Kapleau of the Rochester Zen Center, from whom he received authorization to teach prior to coming to Montréal where he founded the Zen Center in 1979.
Albert authored numerous books in which he documented his unique approach to Zen Buddhism and related subjects. Many of his books have been translated into French and other languages. He also maintained a website titled “Thoughts Along the Way” where he posted monthly essays on meditation practice and related topics. Albert was awarded an honorary degree in the Humanities from Queens University in 2002.
He was deeply loved for his warmth and boundless compassion and generosity, while at the same time he was deeply respected as an uncompromising and demanding teacher. He was universally recognized by his students as a master of the subtle teaching of Zen. He was a man of exceptional spiritual vision, clarity and intelligence which was daily manifest in his intellectual creativity and his unflagging commitment and dedication to his work, which he continued for many years in the face of severe physical weakness and pain. His death at age 87 is a profound loss for us.
The funeral ceremony in honor of our esteemed teacher will take place on Sunday, February 7, next. In compliance with what Mr Low would have wished, this ceremony will be held in a place that was so close to his heart and where his presence is still very much alive, nearly palpable, the Zendo at the Centre.
This will be a private ceremony in the presence of the members of Albert Low’s family and where only regular members of the Centre are invited to participate.
Here is the obituary from the Montreal Gazette:
LOW, Albert William
1928 – 2016
After a full and vital life, Albert William Low, beloved husband of Jean Margaret Low, passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday January 27, 2016. Albert Low was the teacher and director of the Montreal Zen Centre, and author of many books. He will always be remembered and loved by his children Anita, John (Amanda) and Stephen (Karen), his grandchildren Camille, Chantal, Adrian, Etienne, Dane, and Clara, and his great-grandchildren Ben and Lili. He will also be remembered and appreciated by all of his Zen students and the people he touched along the way with his teaching and his writing. The family would like to thank the Montreal Zen Centre Sangha for the outpouring of love and help. Also, thank you to the doctors, nurses and orderlies at the Royal Victoria Hospital who showed such kindness and understanding during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Montreal Zen Centre would be gratefully received.
Guest book link: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/montrealgazette/obituary.aspx?n=albert-low&pid=177518729&fhid=11437
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