Earthquake relief for Japanese Soto Zen temples

On New Year's Day, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture was hit by the catastrophic earthquake, resulting in many casualties.  The results of this natural disaster are still being felt as people begin working on recovery and restoration.  We have two opportunities to help Soto Zen temples that sustained heavy damage as a result of the earthquake.

​North American office of Sotoshu for Soji-ji Soin

Although many Soto Zen temples were affected by the earthquake, of particular concern is Soji-ji Soin, one of the denomination's two head temples.  While fortunately there were no casualties there, the damage to the buildings and properties was quite extensive.  People were evacuated from the temple and will be staying in shelters for the foreseeable future without any prospect of returning to it.  Because Soji-ji Soin is designated a tangible cultural asset under the Cultural Properties Protection Law, they cannot even remove debris without a proper permit, and it will take a great deal of time and money to restore the temple.  Soji-ji Soin is a temple that must be preserved for the sake of everyone practicing Soto Zen.

Jisho Takahashi for Sanshin-connected temples

Sanshin Network member Jisho Takahashi has organized a fundraising page to offer financial support for two temples that have connections to Sanshin. Ryushoji was founded by Rev. Waju Murata, who practiced at Antaiji about 40 years ago at almost the same time as Okumura Roshi. The abbot of the other temple, Eifukuji, is Rev. Koshu Ichibori, who visited Sanshin in 2017 through a Sotoshu program, staying in Bloomington for several days and later visiting Ryumonji in Iowa and Great Tree Zen Women's Temple in North Carolina.  Jisho will send all funds raised to Ryushoji and Eifukuji, and updates on their long-term rebuilding process will be posted to the fundraising page every few months.

How to make your gift

Sotoshu fundraiser

Please make your gift by June 30th, 2024 so that it can be sent to Sotoshu headquarters in Tokyo. 

• Send funds via PayPal to [email protected]​
• Mail cash or check (payable to Association of Soto Zen Buddhists) to ASZB, 123 South Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Jisho's fundraiser

Visit this GoGetFunding page to make your gift online.