Eido Tai Shimano

was a Rinzai Zen Buddhist priest. He was the founding abbot of the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji in Manhattan and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji monastery in the Catskill mountains of New York; he was forced to resign from that position of 40 years after revelations of a series of sexual relationships with and alleged sexual harassment of female students. He moved to New York City. According to Shimano, after arriving on New Year's Eve, he walked Manhattan in his Buddhist robe. His followers included well-heeled individuals such as Dorris Carlson, who gave funds to create a monastery in the Catskills, Dai Bosatsu Zendo, which opened in 1976. In 2004, Eido Shimano Roshi received the Buddhism Transmission Award from the Japan-based Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Foundation for his impact on the dissemination of Buddhism in the West. This same organization produced a documentary on Eido Shimano Roshi and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji.

Sexual misconduct Over the years, there were rumors that the married Shimano was having sex with some of his female students. Shimano sent a letter of apology to the ZSS community in September, 2010, stating "“Over time, I took your kindness for granted and arrogance grew in my heart. As a result, my sensitivity to feel the pain of others decreased. Now, as I reflect on the past, I realize how many people’s feelings and trust in me were hurt by my words and deeds.”.

In February, 2011, the Zen Studies Society announced that Eido Shimano no longer would teach Zen under the auspices of their organization. On July 2, 2011, an open meeting for all sangha members of the ZSS was held, where Shimano encouraged everyone to accept his successor, Shinge Sherry Chayat, as their teacher, and stated unequivocally that in order to avoid further controversy and division, he would no longer formally teach Zen in any capacity.

Some of the richer students left the Zen Studies Society, causing financial difficulties for the society. Shimano remained in the apartment owned and maintained by the ZSS.

Eido Shimano died on February 18, 2018, in Gifu, Japan, at the age of 85.

Dharma heirs Junpo Denis Kelly Andy Afable Sherry Chayat John Mortensen (now Egmund T. Sommer) Genjo Marinello

Eido Shimano and his successors, are not acknowledged by Myoshinji.