​Inoue Kando Roshi is a Soto Zen monk. Born in 1944 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, he is the fifth son of Inoue Gien Roshi, who enlightened in 1919 and was known as a Zen master of exceptional calibre. From a young age, Kando Roshi was often in the presence of Gien Roshi and monks in training. Kando Roshi himself ordained at the age of 10. When he was 14, he began training at Hosshinji under Harada Sogaku Roshi and Harada Sessui Roshi. He enlightened at age 16 and inherited the Dharma discovered by the Buddha. Later, he received inka shomei from Gien Roshi, who designated him as his Dharma heir. At age 20, he began training at Daihonzan Sojiji Temple. He completed his training at age 25, and was appointed junshike (one qualified to guide ascetic monks). He has been teaching at various places since then. He was abbot of Shorinji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture from 1971 to 2015. He now dedicates his time to conveying Butsudo (the Buddha's Way) far and wide. He teaches the true essence of Zen in colloquial terms, without using difficult Buddhist terminology, and both monks and laypeople from throughout Japan go to learn from him.