Clayton McCombs (1946-2021)
Jules Harris, Ed.D. (1939-2023)
Jules Harris, Ed.D. (1939-2023)
Clayton McCombs dedicated his life to the pursuit of his passions: chemistry, education, and the martial arts. Following a successful career as a chemist, McCombs Sensei brought his scientific knowledge and passion for teaching into the classroom as an AP Chemistry teacher. His innovative approach to education inspired and influenced generations of students.
His martial arts knowledge encompassed an extraordinary range of disciplines, including American Kenpo, Okinawan Kempo, Tuite, Hung Gar, Arnis, Chang Moo Kwan, Aikidō and Western Fencing. In addition t to these arts McCombs Sensei was a lifelong student of Japanese swordsmanship including Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Iaido and Kendō, Through his relationships within the martial arts community, he also had opportunities to study lesser-known family traditions, further broadening his understanding of the martial arts.
McCombs Sensei possessed a remarkable ability to recall, analyze, and integrate techniques from the many disciplines he studied. His proficiency in Tuite, particularly his precision, speed, and understanding of joint manipulation and pressure-point techniques, left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to train under his instruction.
Beyond his technical expertise, McCombs Sensei was a dedicated teacher and mentor who emphasized discipline, concentration, perseverance, and personal responsibility. His teachings extended well beyond the dojo, influencing not only the martial abilities of his students but also their character and approach to life.
His passing represents a profound loss to his family, friends, students, and the martial arts community. Yet his legacy endures through the knowledge he shared, the values he instilled, and the countless lives he touched.
May his legacy be honored through the continued practice of his teachings and the enduring spirit of those who had the privilege of calling him Sensei.
Jules Harris, Ed.D. (1939-2023)
Jules Harris, Ed.D. (1939-2023)
Jules Harris, Ed.D. (1939-2023)
Jules Shuzen Harris Roshi, Ed.D., was a distinguished Zen priest, psychotherapist, educator, and martial artist whose lifelong dedication to teaching and personal development profoundly influenced the lives of his students and the broader Zen community. A devoted practitioner of Iaidō and Kendō (Japanese swordsmanship), he established an Iaidō school in Utah, bringing together his martial arts experience and his understanding of Zen practice.
Harris Roshi was the first African American man to receive Dharma transmission in the Sōtō Zen tradition and served as the founding teacher and abbot of the Sōji Zen Center in Pennsylvania.
Beyond his work as a spiritual teacher, Harris Roshi contributed to the broader understanding of Zen and mindfulness through articles published in respected Buddhist publications, including Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and Lion's Roar. Through his writing, he shared insights into meditation, personal growth, and the application of Zen principles to everyday life.
His approach to teaching reflected a deep understanding of the relationship between Zen practice, psychotherapy, and the martial arts. Rather than treating these disciplines as separate pursuits, he emphasized their shared principles of awareness, discipline, and self-understanding. His instruction encouraged students to carry these lessons beyond formal practice and into their daily lives.
Harris Roshi's legacy endures through the students he guided, the teachings he shared, and the communities he helped establish.
May his legacy be honored through the continued practice of his teachings, the wisdom he so generously shared, and the enduring spirit of those who had the privilege of calling him Roshi or Sensei.