Kobe, Japan: The Chief Monk of the Dhauli Peace Pagoda, Rev. Kazuo Yoda breathed his last at the Kobe Temple following a brief illness, on Thursday. He was 65. Rev. Yoda was the resident monk of Dhauli Peace Pagoda for more than three decades.
The monk had visited Bhubaneswar along with his Guru Rev. Fuji in 1971 when he was only 15 years old. A reformist monk, he was respected for combining and balancing Buddhist learning with meditation practices.
Recollecting the charismatic Rev. Yoda, president of the Mahabodhi Society of India, Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty said the monk was one of the great Buddhist masters of meditation and 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 and had also set up a school. He will be 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 Friday. It was attended by Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, Dr. Sourendra Mohapatro, Dr. Arya Kumar Gyananedra and Anil Dhir among others.
