近代日本における霊性論 : （２）鈴木ビアトリスの霊性

Beatrice Lane Suzuki (1878-1939) was born in Boston, USA. As an adlescentee, she studied philosophy under William James, Josiah Royce, and George Santayana at the Radcliffe University. Her insatiable curiosity made her study a wide range of thought, including Theosophy and Eastern Buddhism (Hinayana). In 1906, she attended Shaku Sōen’s lecture in New York; He accompanied Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki as interpreter. Thereafter, Beatrice obtained Mahayana Buddhism teachings from him. In 1911 she arrived in Japan and married D.T. Suzuki. She participated in many sesshin periods, practiced Zen meditation. During the 1920s 1930s, she visited Kōya-san every summer, as she was recommended by her husband. She was deeply involved with Mikkyo of esoteric Buddhism, and discovered the essential teachings of Buddhism: The Shingon was the teachings of non-duality, of Buddha nature, of enlightenment, of union with the One which brings the Vision of Truth and the Insight into Reality. The Animal Mercy Shelter named ”Jihi-En” was maintained b y her, where she kept many cats and dogs. Beatrice’s spirituality was Bodhisattva’s Compassion and Love.