Zenshuji Soto Mission (Japanese: 曹洞宗北米両大本山別院禅宗寺 (Sōtōshū Hokubei Ryōdaihonzan betsuin Zenshūji)), established in 1922[1] in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles, California, was the first Soto ZenBuddhist temple in North America.[1] 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).[2]
Zenshuji follows the 2,500-year-old teachings of Gautama Buddha 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.
Temple historyedit
In 1922, a few years after attending the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, Rev. Hosen Isobe established the Zenshuji Soto Mission[3] 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 recognized 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.
Bishop Daito Suzuki became the third head priest on Rohatsu[4] which fell on December 8, 1941.[4] During World War II, when about 110,000 people of Japanese heritage were sent to detention camps, Zenshuji was temporarily closed.[3] A Hindu temple took over the deed[4] and a Christian group used it for worship during the war.[4] When the war ended, Bishop Daito Suzuki returned to Zenshuji[4] and worked on its restoration.[3]
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.
Bishop Kenko Yamashita is also a key figure in Zenshuji's history; having served as general supervisor for 26 years from the late 1960s through the mid-1980s.[5]
Zenshuji Soto Misson todayedit
Rev. Shumyo Kojima[5] keeps an office at Zenshuji and frequently presides over various ceremonies and services at the temple. Rev. Shumyo Kojima is 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.
^ abcdefgh"The Ministers". Zenshuji. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
External linksedit
Zenshuji Soto Mission – Soto Zen Headquarters of North American
– Soto Zen Headquarters of Japan
December 02, 2023
zenshuji, soto, misson, zenshuji, soto, mission, japanese, 曹洞宗北米両大本山別院禅宗寺, sōtōshū, hokubei, ryōdaihonzan, betsuin, zenshūji, established, 1922, little, tokyo, section, angeles, california, first, soto, buddhist, temple, north, america, today, north, american,. Zenshuji Soto Mission Japanese 曹洞宗北米両大本山別院禅宗寺 Sōtōshu Hokubei Ryōdaihonzan betsuin Zenshuji established in 1922 1 in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles California was the first Soto Zen Buddhist temple in North America 1 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 2 Zenshuji Soto Mission曹洞宗北米両大本山別院禅宗寺 Sōtōshu Hokubei Ryōdaihonzan betsuin Zenshuji ReligionAffiliationSoto Zen BuddhismLocationLocation123 S Hewitt St Los Angeles California 90012StateCaliforniaCountryUnited StatesGeographic coordinates34 02 54 N 118 14 11 W 34 048291 N 118 236313 W 34 048291 118 236313ArchitectureDate established1922 Contents 1 Temple practice 2 Temple history 3 Zenshuji Soto Misson today 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksTemple practice editZenshuji follows the 2 500 year old teachings of Gautama Buddha 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 Temple history editIn 1922 a few years after attending the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco Rev Hosen Isobe established the Zenshuji Soto Mission 3 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 recognized 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 Bishop Daito Suzuki became the third head priest on Rohatsu 4 which fell on December 8 1941 4 During World War II when about 110 000 people of Japanese heritage were sent to detention camps Zenshuji was temporarily closed 3 A Hindu temple took over the deed 4 and a Christian group used it for worship during the war 4 When the war ended Bishop Daito Suzuki returned to Zenshuji 4 and worked on its restoration 3 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 1960s was Dr Wako Kazumitsu Kato 5 Dr Kato went on to teach and hold academic positions at San Francisco State University 5 University of California Berkeley 5 California State University Los Angeles 5 and University of California Los Angeles 5 He also served as Dean of International Studies at the Nagoya University of Foreign Studies for seven years 5 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 1960s through the mid 1980s 5 Zenshuji Soto Misson today editRev Shumyo Kojima 5 keeps an office at Zenshuji and frequently presides over various ceremonies and services at the temple Rev Shumyo Kojima is 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 See also editShuichi Thomas Kurai Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United StatesReferences edit a b San Francisco Zen Center Hosshinji Soto Zen Sotoshu Retrieved April 28 2013 Head Temples Soto Zen Sotoshu Retrieved April 28 2013 a b c Zenshuji Our History Zenshuji Retrieved April 28 2013 a b c d e Chadwick David 2011 Crooked Cucumber The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki Broadway ISBN 9780767901048 a b c d e f g h The Ministers Zenshuji Retrieved April 28 2013 External links editZenshuji Soto Mission Soto Zen Headquarters of North American Soto Zen Headquarters of Japan Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zenshuji Soto Misson amp oldid 1183862617, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
