Blanche and Lou at Tassajara. Photo by Renshin Bunce
Lou Hartman / Shu-un Mitsuzen
Bright Shadow, Empty Source
June 2, 1915 – January 20, 2011
Lou’s Funeral
Sunday March 13 @ 2pm
San Francisco Zen Center
300 Page Street
San Francisco
Sojun Mel Weitsman will officiate, assisted by Abbot Ryushin Paul Haller and Kiku Christina Lehnherr.
The service will be available as a live video stream for family and friends of Lou unable to attend in person.
Parking will be available from 1:30 – 5 pm in the UCSF parking lot at 55 Laguna Street, approximately two blocks from City Center.
NOTE: March 13 is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Clocks will have been adjusted forward by one hour overnight.
Please contact the City Center office at 415-863-3136 for more information.
UPDATE: A recording of the live video stream is available: Video of Lou Hartman’s Funeral
Thoughts While Putting On My Robe in Stone Two at Tassajara
How smoothly the creek’s okesa
Folds across the shoulders
Of the rocks.
—Lou Hartman
Lou Hartman Courtesy Rebecca Huenink, SF Chronicle
Our dear dharma friend Shu-un Mitsuzen Lou Hartman died on January 20 at 3:45pm, surrounded by his wife of over sixty years, Zenkei Blanche Hartman, their children, a granddaughter, and great-granddaughter. Lou and Blanche have four children, eight grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren. Lou was a long term resident, priest, and practitioner at all three Zen Center locations. He and Blanche were ordained in a 24-person ceremony in September 1977 by Zentatsu Richard Baker. His deep love of practice, his wit and presence inspired us all.
Lou was a great storyteller. Blanche has said that what many people remember and appreciate about Lou is his choice to live as a monk, not as a Zen teacher.
A memorial service was held on the evening of January 20 in the Buddha Hall at City Center, officiated by Sojun Mel Weitsman. A transition service—a well being service for Lou’s passage—was held the morning of January 21 at 6:40am following morning zazen.
Friends and family sat with Lou at Zen Hospice through Sunday afternoon. The Witnessed Cremation Ceremony took place on Thursday, January 27.
Lou in City Center Courtyard – Photo by Shundo David Haye
Lou Hartman by Renshin Bunce
