Myogen Steve Stücky

Photo: Liping Zhu

Photo: Liping Zhu

Steven Stücky / Daitsu Myogen
Great Pervading Subtle Eye
March 6, 1946 – December 31, 2013

San Francisco Zen Center’s first central abbot, Myogen Steve Stücky, died shortly after 4:00 on the morning of December 31 at his home in Rohnert Park, California. He was 67.

Since receiving a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer in late September, he has been widely admired for courageously sharing publicly his ongoing personal process of living with terminal illness, first in a dharma talk titled “Gratitude,” given two days after receiving his diagnosis, and subsequently with posts on his Subtle Eye blog. His longtime emphasis on body practice—learning from and respecting the body—took on a particular poignancy in the months leading up to his death. As he said in his talk, “Each of us can do something, right up to the last moment.”

Cremation Ceremony

Monday, January 6, 2014, at 10 am
Pleasant Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary
1700 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-823-5042

Sojun Mel Weitsman will officiate this small public ceremony.

Funeral Ceremony

Sunday, February 9, 2014, at 3 pm
Green Dragon Temple
1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA

Abbess Eijun Linda Cutts will officiate this public ceremony.

November 2

November 2

Another photo from the beginning of the dharma transmission process this week.  

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November 1

November 1

Summarizing some news from Mary Stares today: Abbot Steve had chemotherapy yesterday and was in the hospital from 9 until 2. He's at home resting...

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October 31

Dear Friends, A conversation with Mary yesterday reminded me that every day seems to bring greater fragility and discomfort to Abbot Steve as the...

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October 29

October 29

Dear Friends, I apologize for not writing an update for a few days. Time seems to get away from me, and the web editor is kind enough not to send me...

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October 24 Update

Dear Friends, Abbot Steve had a difficult day yesterday. He was struggling with pain, nausea and no appetite for much of the day. At one point we...

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October 23 Update: Stable

Abbot Steve is at home and stable, medically speaking. He is continuing with medication for his heart and blot clots and plans to resume...

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October 20 Update: Going Home

October 20 Update: Going Home

Dear Friends, I spoke with Abbot Steve late this morning. He reported that he will be discharged from hospital tomorrow. I did not speak with him...

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