Career
Shortly before World World War II Matsuoka came to the United States of America, to serve Japanese immigrants. In the 1960s he gathered a following of Americans. Richard Langlois was one of the first Americans ever to perceive Dharma transmission.
In 1970 Matsuoka left Chicago and moved to Long Beach, California, where he continued to preside over other communities.
Matsuoka died in 1997. c
Matsuoka named many Dharma heirs, though their qualifications as teachers have been questioned, given the short time of practice required by Matsuoka and the absence of formal ordination. According to Sampson, at least three of Matsuoka"s students received inka shomei.
These three "were considered to be fully transmitted priests with the status of Roshi by him". Four students were registered as "initial novice priest", and to five students was conferred "full priesthood".
There are four living of Soyu Matsuoka:
Hogaku Shozen McGuire,
Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston,
Kaiten Johndennis Govert.
