Robert Aitken is a well-known author and one of the foremost leaders of Zen Buddhism in the Western world. He is also the founder of the Diamond Sangha, a Zen Buddhist organization headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. The archive includes Robert Aitken's published writings, manuscripts, sermons, and correspondence with family, friends, students and other Buddhist teachers. These include such well-known figures as D.T. Suzuki, Gary Snyder, Nakagawa Soen, Yasutani Haku'un and Yamada Koun. The collection also contains extensive materials related to the founding and development of the Diamond Sangha. It should prove to be an exciting new resource for scholars in a wide range of fields, including Zen Buddhism, history of religions, American Studies, new religions, and Asian literature.

      The Aitken Papers were received in June 2003 and are currently being processed by the staff of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Library.