Soyen Shaku was an influential and revered Japanese Zen Buddhist master from the Rinzai school. He served as abbot of both Kenchō-ji and Engaku-ji temples in Kamakura, was the first Zen Buddhist master to teach in the United States, and had students like D.T Suzuki. He traveled widely and gave lectures on Buddhism and even participated in the 1893 World Parliament of Religions. In addition to being a teacher and spiritual leader, Shaku also acted as a chaplain during the Russo-Japanese War and attributed Japan's victory to its samurai culture. He left behind an impressive legacy of teachings about inner peace, meditation, and compassion that continue to be passed down to today.