Zenshuji
Encyclopedia
Zenshuji Soto Mission, established in 1922 in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles, California
, was the first Soto Zen Buddhist temple in North America
. Today, it is the North American headquarters for Soto Zen, under the guidance of Sotoshu Shumucho (the headquarters of Soto Zen in Japan), and is a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji (the two head temples in Japan
).
as passed down by Koso Dogen
Zenji (1200-1253) and Taiso Keizan Zenji (1268-1325) who are recognized as the founding patriarchs of Soto Zen. The essence of Soto Zen was transmitted during the Kamakura Period
in Japan approximately eight hundred years ago by Dogen Zenji.
Keizan Zenji further enhanced the School and significantly increased its accessibility and popularity with lay people. In 1244, Dogen Zenji established Eiheiji Temple in present-day Fukui Prefecture
. Later, in 1321, Keizan Zenji established Sojiji Temple in present-day Kanagawa Prefecture
. Today, Eiheiji and Sojiji still serve as the head temples / monasteries for the Soto Zen school of Buddhism.
, Rev. Hosen Isobe established the Zenshuji Soto Mission in a Los Angeles apartment. Anti-immigration laws at that time made it extremely difficult for people of Japanese descent to purchase land in the United States. Nonetheless, in 1923, land was purchased and construction of a temple was eventually completed in 1926. In 1927, Zenshuji was recognition as a non-profit organization by the United States. In 1937, Zenshuji formally became the North America Headquarters for Soto Zen and a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji.
During World War II
, all Japanese in the West Coast of the United States were sent to detention camps
and Zenshuji was temporarily closed. Returning from a detention camp in May 1945, Bishop Daito Suzuki began working energetically to restore Zenshuji. During this time, the temple served as a temporary shelter for members coming home from the camps. Bishop Suzuki’s contributions were significant to the temple’s history and are remembered with appreciation and gratitude.
The popularity of Zen Buddhism boomed in America during the 1950s and 1960s. Many influential figures in Zen have been affiliated with Zenshuji. Rev. Taizan Maezumi
(1931-1995), who devoted his life to establishing a foundation of Zen Buddhism in America, was a priest at Zenshuji from 1956 to 1966. Rev. Maezumi later established Zen Center Los Angeles in 1967 and wrote numerous books on Zen. Rev. Dainin Katagiri
(1928-1990) served as a priest at Zenshuji from 1963 to 1964 before moving to San Francisco where he assisted Rev. Shunryu Suzuki
at the Sokoji Temple and Zen Center San Francisco. Rev. Katagiri went on to become the first Abbot of the Minnesota Zen Center
in 1972.
Rev. Koun Yamada served as Bishop of North America at Zenshuji for almost four years prior to his return to Japan to become president of Komazawa University
and eventually abbot of Eiheiji.
Another priest that served at Zenshuji during the 1960’s was Dr. Wako Kazumitsu Kato. Dr. Kato went on to teach and hold academic positions at San Francisco State University
, University of California, Berkeley
, California State University, Los Angeles
, and University of California, Los Angeles
. He also served as Dean of International Studies at the Nagoya University
of Foreign Studies for seven years. Dr. Kato is still actively involved at Zenshuji.
Bishop Kenko Yamashita is also a key figure in Zenshuji’s history; having served as general supervisor for 26 years from the late 60’s through the mid 80’s.
Located in the Little Tokyo
district of Los Angeles
, Zenshuji is a stimulating mix of traditional and contemporary practices and activities. Dr. Wako Kato, a priest, professor, and author of numerous books and articles (in both English and Japanese) holds monthly lectures on Buddhism in English. Zazen
, the Zen practice of seated mediation, is also held at various times throughout the week in a traditional Japanese Zendo
(meditation hall). English and Japanese Buddhist services are conducted on a regular basis in a Hondo
(main hall). In addition to the serving the spiritual needs of community, Zenshuji offers its Sangha
(congregation) activities that help to preserve popular aspects of Japanese culture such as Taiko
drumming, Shakyo (writing sutras in calligraphy), Ikebana
(flower arranging), and Sadō
(tea ceremony).
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, was the first Soto Zen Buddhist temple in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Today, it is the North American headquarters for Soto Zen, under the guidance of Sotoshu Shumucho (the headquarters of Soto Zen in Japan), and is a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji (the two head temples in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
).
Temple Practice
Zenshuji follows the 2,500 year old teachings of Gautama BuddhaGautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
as passed down by Koso Dogen
Dogen
Dōgen Zenji was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher born in Kyōto, and the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China and training under the Chinese Caodong lineage there...
Zenji (1200-1253) and Taiso Keizan Zenji (1268-1325) who are recognized as the founding patriarchs of Soto Zen. The essence of Soto Zen was transmitted during the Kamakura Period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
in Japan approximately eight hundred years ago by Dogen Zenji.
Keizan Zenji further enhanced the School and significantly increased its accessibility and popularity with lay people. In 1244, Dogen Zenji established Eiheiji Temple in present-day Fukui Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.- Prehistory :The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed...
. Later, in 1321, Keizan Zenji established Sojiji Temple in present-day Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
. Today, Eiheiji and Sojiji still serve as the head temples / monasteries for the Soto Zen school of Buddhism.
Temple History
In 1922, a few years after attending the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, Rev. Hosen Isobe established the Zenshuji Soto Mission in a Los Angeles apartment. Anti-immigration laws at that time made it extremely difficult for people of Japanese descent to purchase land in the United States. Nonetheless, in 1923, land was purchased and construction of a temple was eventually completed in 1926. In 1927, Zenshuji was recognition as a non-profit organization by the United States. In 1937, Zenshuji formally became the North America Headquarters for Soto Zen and a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, all Japanese in the West Coast of the United States were sent to detention camps
Japanese American internment
Japanese-American internment was the relocation and internment by the United States government in 1942 of approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese who lived along the Pacific coast of the United States to camps called "War Relocation Camps," in the wake of Imperial Japan's attack on...
and Zenshuji was temporarily closed. Returning from a detention camp in May 1945, Bishop Daito Suzuki began working energetically to restore Zenshuji. During this time, the temple served as a temporary shelter for members coming home from the camps. Bishop Suzuki’s contributions were significant to the temple’s history and are remembered with appreciation and gratitude.
The popularity of Zen Buddhism boomed in America during the 1950s and 1960s. Many influential figures in Zen have been affiliated with Zenshuji. Rev. Taizan Maezumi
Taizan Maezumi
Hakuyū Taizan Maezumi was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and rōshi, and lineage holder in the Sōtō, Rinzai and Harada-Yasutani traditions of Zen. He combined the Rinzai use of koans and the Sōtō emphasis on shikantaza in his teachings, influenced by his years studying under Hakuun Yasutani in the...
(1931-1995), who devoted his life to establishing a foundation of Zen Buddhism in America, was a priest at Zenshuji from 1956 to 1966. Rev. Maezumi later established Zen Center Los Angeles in 1967 and wrote numerous books on Zen. Rev. Dainin Katagiri
Dainin Katagiri
Jikai Dainin Katagiri , aka Hojo-san Katagiri, was a Soto Zen roshi and the founding abbot of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he served from 1972 until his death from cancer in 1990...
(1928-1990) served as a priest at Zenshuji from 1963 to 1964 before moving to San Francisco where he assisted Rev. Shunryu Suzuki
Shunryu Suzuki
Shunryu Suzuki was a Sōtō Zen roshi who popularized Zen Buddhism in the United States, particularly around San Francisco. Born in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, Suzuki was occasionally mistaken for the Zen scholar D.T...
at the Sokoji Temple and Zen Center San Francisco. Rev. Katagiri went on to become the first Abbot of the Minnesota Zen Center
Minnesota Zen Center
Minnesota Zen Meditation Center was formed when the founding head teacher, Dainin Katagiri, was invited to come from California in 1972 to teach a small but growing group of Minneapolis students interested in the dharma. After his death, Shohaku Okumura served as interim head teacher until the...
in 1972.
Rev. Koun Yamada served as Bishop of North America at Zenshuji for almost four years prior to his return to Japan to become president of Komazawa University
Komazawa University
Komazawa University is one of the oldest universities in Japan. Its history starts in 1592, when a seminary was established to be a center of learning for the young monks of the Sōtō sect, one of the two main Zen Buddhist traditions in Japan.The university in Tokyo campus comprises eight faculties...
and eventually abbot of Eiheiji.
Another priest that served at Zenshuji during the 1960’s was Dr. Wako Kazumitsu Kato. Dr. Kato went on to teach and hold academic positions at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
, University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
, and University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. He also served as Dean of International Studies at the Nagoya University
Nagoya University
Nagoya University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:...
of Foreign Studies for seven years. Dr. Kato is still actively involved at Zenshuji.
Bishop Kenko Yamashita is also a key figure in Zenshuji’s history; having served as general supervisor for 26 years from the late 60’s through the mid 80’s.
Zenshuji Today
Rev. Daigaku Rummé (Bishop of North America since 2010) keeps an office at Zenshuji and frequently presides over various ceremonies and services at the temple. He is the first American to head a Japanese-American Buddhist temple. Rev. Shumyo Kojima and Rev. Emeritus Gengo Akiba are chartered with Zenshuji's ongoing mission to offer the ethnically diverse area of Los Angeles guidance in the practice of Soto Zen to those interested in satisfying a spiritual, intellectual, or social need.Located in the Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo may refer to:* Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California* Little Tokyo, Vancouver* Little Tokyo, U.S.A., a 1942 American film* Another term for a Japantown* Shigeri Akabane , Japanese professional wrestler...
district of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Zenshuji is a stimulating mix of traditional and contemporary practices and activities. Dr. Wako Kato, a priest, professor, and author of numerous books and articles (in both English and Japanese) holds monthly lectures on Buddhism in English. Zazen
Zazen
In Zen Buddhism, zazen is a meditative discipline practitioners perform to calm the body and the mind, and be able to concentrate enough to experience insight into the nature of existence and thereby gain enlightenment .- Significance :Zazen is considered the heart of Zen Buddhist practice...
, the Zen practice of seated mediation, is also held at various times throughout the week in a traditional Japanese Zendo
Zendo
or is a Japanese term translating roughly as "meditation hall". In Zen Buddhism, the zen-dō is a spiritual dōjō where zazen is practiced...
(meditation hall). English and Japanese Buddhist services are conducted on a regular basis in a Hondo
Hondo
-Places:*Rio Hondo, the name of several locations*Hondo, Texas, a city in the United States*Hondo, New Mexico*Hondo, Kumamoto, a city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan: old name for the main Japanese island of Honshū-Fiction:...
(main hall). In addition to the serving the spiritual needs of community, Zenshuji offers its Sangha
Sangha
Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as "association" or "assembly," "company" or "community" with common goal, vision or purpose...
(congregation) activities that help to preserve popular aspects of Japanese culture such as Taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
drumming, Shakyo (writing sutras in calligraphy), Ikebana
Ikebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
(flower arranging), and Sadō
Sado
-People:*Prince Sado, a Joseon Korean crown prince who never acceded*Yutaka Sado, a Japanese conductor-Other:* Sado, Niigata, a city and an island of Niigata Prefecture, Japan...
(tea ceremony).