Robert Baker Aitken

Robert Baker Dairyu Chotan Aitken Rōshi (June 19, 1917 – August 5, 2010) was a Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He co-founded the Honolulu Diamond Sangha in 1959 together with his wife, Anne Hopkins Aitken. Aitken received Dharma transmission from Koun Yamada in 1985 but decided to live as a layperson. He was a socialist advocating social justice for homosexuals, women and Native Hawaiians throughout his life, and was one of the original founders of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Quotes

 * Renunciation is not getting rid of the things of this world, but accepting that they pass away.
 * Aitken Roshi, as quoted in The Awakening of Global Consciousness: A Guide to Self-Realization (2010) by Jawara D. King, p. 20