Age, Biography and Wiki

Merle Kodo Boyd was born on 23 December, 1944 in Prairie View, Texas, U.S., is an American Buddhist monk (1944–2022). Discover Merle Kodo Boyd's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 77 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 77 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 23 December, 1944
Birthday 23 December
Birthplace Prairie View, Texas, U.S.
Date of death 20 February, 2022
Died Place Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 23 December. She is a member of famous with the age 77 years old group.

Merle Kodo Boyd Height, Weight & Measurements

At 77 years old, Merle Kodo Boyd height not available right now. We will update Merle Kodo Boyd's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

She is currently single. She is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, She has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children One daughter

Merle Kodo Boyd Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Merle Kodo Boyd worth at the age of 77 years old? Merle Kodo Boyd’s income source is mostly from being a successful . She is from United States. We have estimated Merle Kodo Boyd's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1944

Merle Kodo Boyd (1944–2022) was an American Zen Buddhist nun.

She was the first African-American woman to receive Dharma transmission in Zen Buddhism, as a Dharma heir of Wendy Egyoku Nakao in the White Plum Asanga.

Boyd was born in Prairie View, Texas on December 23, 1944, during the era of segregation.

Growing up in Houston, her family, like most other African-American families of this period, suffered the pain and hardship of racial discrimination.

Her father was a sociology professor at a historically black college, and her family attended a black congregational church.

1980

In the 1980s, Boyd began sitting with a small group led by a teacher named Sr. Janet Richardson, a Dharma heir of Robert Jinsen Kennedy and Tetsugen Bernard Glassman.

1994

According to the Lincroft website, "She received Jukai in 1994 and Priest Ordination in 1996 from Roshi Sandra Jishu Holmes. After Roshi Jishu's death, Kodo continued her practice with Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao, from whom she received Preceptor Transmission in 2002 and Dharma Transmission in March 2006.

In 1994, Boyd and two other practitioners, Bill Nordahl and Peter Nyodo Ott, founded the Lincroft Zen Sangha in Lincroft, New Jersey.

The sangha initially grew out of the Zen Mountain Monastery.

2006

Receiving transmission in March 2006, she founded and led the Lincroft Zen Sangha in New Jersey that is currently part of the Zen Peacemaker Circle established by Tetsugen Bernard Glassman and his wife Sandra Jishu Holmes.

2012

Boyd first developed an interest in Zen Buddhism after viewing a 12th-century Chinese painting titled Solitary Angler in a book, depicting an angler fishing upon a wide-open sea.

Boyd wrote, "The painting called to me in my own voice. I immediately sought out more books and found instructions for sitting zazen. Using a bed Pillow and blankets, I began the practice alone in a corner of my bedroom."

Boyd practiced in this way for a couple of years, reading books and practicing zazen in her bedroom.

While she often contemplated going to a Zen center, she was also wary of potential racial tension she imagined she would face were she to do so.

She commented, "I knew no black people practicing Zen. The thought of entering a zendo knowing nothing of the etiquette and ritual was frightening enough. Being the only black person there would, I felt, draw more attention than I could stand. But the pull of practice was strong and, finally, I ventured out."

Boyd earned her bachelor's degree in Maine.

She then earned two master's degrees: one in early childhood education from New York University, and the other in social work from Hunter College.

Boyd worked as a clinical social worker and therapist in Middletown, New Jersey, primarily with Vietnam War veterans.

2013

In a 2013 interview with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Boyd articulated the connection between her racial and spiritual identities, saying, "I’ve always felt that there’s a connection between my being black and my being a Zen practitioner."

Boyd died in Durham, North Carolina, on February 20, 2022, at the age of 77.

She was survived by her husband, daughter, and community of friends.