Richard Baker - Recovering
caringbridge.org page started May 20, 2025
Update on Baker Roshi's Health
from Crestone Mountain Zen Center, June 1, 2025
Sophia Baker, Renee des Tombes, Richard Baker, Sally Baker
We are happy to report that Baker Roshi is doing quite well. He has remained in the Bay Area, where he has had the best of medical care, supported by his family, the Sangha, and the highest quality medical care. He has begun speech therapy, which he can continue with remote sessions and will soon travel to Germany. He is making good progress, but aphasia is hard work. We will need to pause his lectures and teachings for a while, but we are hoping that he can find his way back into teaching. All of the messages of support have meant so much; thank you to all for your good will and good wishes.
If you want to contribute towards Baker Roshi’s recovery through our donation page, we would be very grateful.
At UCSF
David Zimmerman, Richard and Nicole Baden - 5/17/2025 at City Center by Nina Hagen
Richard leaving UCSF with daughter Sophia, future son-in-law Ben and dear family friend, Renée
From Crestone Mountain Zen Center - May 22, 2025
As many of you know, our teacher Baker Roshi experienced a stroke a few days ago, while visiting the Bay Area. He was taken to the hospital immediately, where he received the best of medical care. He has made significant progress in his recovery and was released from the hospital on Wednesday. He and Tatsudo Roshi/Nicole will remain in San Francisco, at City Center, for some days while Baker Roshi continues to recover. Family members are there with him.
Baker Roshi is doing well and is in full acceptance of the situation. About 24 hours after his stroke, still searching for words, he said to Tatsudo Roshi: “It is now so.” He looked at her intently, and Tatsudo Roshi describes how clearly she could feel that he was letting this suchness be present in his heartmind. Then Baker Roshi continued: "And now we will develop every day."
Baker Roshi’s daughters have put together a page where any significant updates about his condition will be posted. If you would like to stay informed, about how he is doing: Here you can read updates about Baker Roshi’s health condition.
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Warm regards,
The Family of Baker Roshi, Tatsudo Roshi, and the CMZC Staff
Cognate Han - a poem by Ted Howell, "humbly offering some language and rhythm as possibly a useful song for recovery."
An Update on Zentatsu Richard Baker from Abbot David Zimmerman, 5/22/2025 from blogs.sfzc.org.