Zen master speaks, teaches at U.

and Paula Odysseos Cloaked in a brown robe, Zen Master Fukushima Keido spoke to University faculty and students Friday afternoon, demonstrating calligraphy and leading a discussion on Zen Buddhism. During the calligraphy session given in the University Museum's Chinese Rotunda, Keido knelt on the ground and drew Japanese calligraphy. Through his translator, Keido explained what each series of characters represented. Many expressed Zen Buddhist teachings, such as "Every day is a fine day," while others were lines of Japanese and Chinese poetry. "I am delighted to practice my art in this facility," Keido said. According to Penn Center for East Asian Studies Director Cameron Hurst, Keido has spent the last seven years teaching Japanese culture abroad. The 40 students and faculty who attended the calligraphy session laughed in the middle of his demonstration as Keido wrote "Can you bite this?" instead of one of his more typical phrases. During a question-and-answer session, Keido noted that he "never makes mistakes." Later that afternoon, Keido met with approximately 60 students and faculty to discuss Zen Buddhist philosophy and practice. Hurst, Keido's long-time friend, presented the audience with a brief introduction to the Zen master. Keido, who is chief abbot of over nearly 300 Buddhist temples in Japan, managed to maintain a sense of humor despite his international prestige. He educated and even enlightened those in attendance about Zen, which is a meditative sect of Buddhism, based largely in Japan. Although this is Keido's first year visiting the University, he said he intends to add Philadelphia to his permanent itinerary. "I came here because of Dr. Hurst," Keido said. "I would also travel to Africa if he was teaching there." Keido also mentioned that there now exists a "K-P" connection -- a "Keido-Penn" connection -- which enables and welcomes a University student to visit his temple at any time. "You are welcome, but you will have to make a sacrifice," Keido said. "We get up at 3 a.m. and sleep very little." Penn is one of approximately 15 schools on Keido's two-month annual tour of the United States.