Kobe: The Chief Monk of the Dhauli Peace Pagoda, Rev. Kazuo Yoda breathed his last at the Kobe Temple on the morning of the 12th December, 2019, at the age of 65 years after a brief illness. Rev. Yoda was the resident monk of the Dhauli Peace Pagoda for more than three decades.
Rev. Yoda had come to Bhubaneswar along with his Guru Rev. Fuji in 1971 when he was only 15 years old. He has been living at the Dhauli Peace Pagoda since then and was a very popular and loved person. He was a reformist monk who was highly respected for being able to combine and balance Buddhist learning with meditation practices.
Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, President of the Mahabodhi Society of India recollected with fond memories the charismatic Rev. Yoda. He said that Rev. Yoda was one of the great Buddhist masters of meditation who lived a hermit-like life. He was determined to observe Buddhism in its pure state.
Historian Anil Dhir, a friend of Rev. Yoda, recalled his youthful zeal and innocence. He led a reclusive life at the Buddha Temple at the base of the Dhauli Hills, with his dogs for company. Dhir said that Yoda was a popular person in the nearby area, he had also set up a school. He will be greatly missed by his students and all those who are grateful for his teachings and his friendship.
A memorial prayer meet was held at the Maha Bodhi Society of India’s Bhubaneswar Centre on the evening of the 13th Dec. It was attended by Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, Dr. Sourendra Mohapatro, Dr. Arya Kumar Gyananedra and Anil Dhir among others.
Comments are closed.