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Danny Waxman, a Zen, let-go Judo and Ninjutsu teacher.

I was born in Tel Aviv in 1936 and I grew in Kibbutz Beit-Alfa. From 1954 and on I studied with Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. I received around 100 personal FI (Functional Integration) treatments from him that contributed much for my recovery from a back problem I had at the time, In our many talks, Dr. Feldenkrais emphasized the importance of Judo and my desire to learn Judo and Zen in Japan became very strong. When I finished my Army service in the IDF in 1958 I went to Japan. All together, I lived more then 13 years in Japan studying Zen, Judo and Ninjutsu. I came straight in to the Kodokan Judo institute in Tokyo. I was lucky to meet three Judo giants, Prof Kotani Sensei 10Dan, black belt, Prof Daigo Sensei, 9Dan black belt, and Prof Osawa Sensei 9Dan, black belt and became their student.

After a few months, I heard about a great Zen teacher whose name was Prof Masunaga Reiho. Someone brought me to his house. Since that day, I started studying with him every week. I came to his house, we set Zazen and he taught me the essence of Zen. I also attended his lectures at Komazawa University (The main Sotozen University in Japan) where he was teaching Buddhist studies. I had trained every day for 5 hours at the

" Kodokan and I also spent many momi11gs practicing at the police Judo dojo nearby. There I met and practiced with a great Judo teacher, who was a Ne-vaza expert named Ikeda Sensei. I also studied with Shibayama sensei, another great Ne-vaza expert. After three years I received 3dan black belt and came back to Israel.

In one of the first Maccabiah games I took part in the Judo competition and came first. A short while later I returned to Japan and continued my studies. Then, h~ 1966, I met Dr. Hatsumi sensei, the great Ninjutsu teacher and started stUdying there, together with Doron Navon. In 1969 I also won the Israeli championship in Judo. After some time I received 4 and 5dan black belt and about six years ago I received 6dan black belt from the Kodokan. I also received 13dan black belt from Hatsumi sensei.

Since 1994 I have been teaching Ninjutsu, Zen and Judo according to my philosophy, which is based on the principle of let-go. I have close relationship with Dr. Hatsumi sensei and as well as with the Kodokan, especially with Prof. Osawa sensei, Prof. Daigo sensei and Prof. Abe sensei.

I have written a book entitled "Zen- Questions and Answers". It was published in 2000 at the Gal publishing house. We have a Zen site-http:// www.zenki.com, where more than 60000 people from allover the world have already gained information about the teachings of my Zen teacher, Prof Masunaga. Me and my disciple, Ofer Cohen, have translated Prof. Masunaga's three books into Hebrew and we intend to publish them when it is feasible financially.

I have three children- two sons and a daughter and currently live in northern Israel. I also teach Zen in Tel Aviv area.

DannyWaxman May 2004