Nyoho: The Dharma of Just This

One-day workshop led by Koun Franz

Saturday, January 25th, 9 am - 5 pm

Koun will also give a public dharma talk at Sanshin on Sunday, Jan 26th at 10 am.

"The teaching of nyohō has profound implications for how we understand not just monastic life, but also family life, our role as consumers, our relationship to the environment, and more. It’s thorough–as one might say in Japanese, it goes all the way to the bottom."
-- Koun Franz

​Koun Franz was born in Helena, Montana. He was ordained in 2001, then trained at Zuioji and Shogoji monasteries. Koun and his family now live in Canada (Halifax, Nova Scotia), where he leads practice at Sensōji (Thousand Harbours Temple) and also works as a counseling therapist. Koun is a member of the advisory team for Sanshin's Sawaki Nyoho-e Treasury.

There is a tradition—within the Soto Zen tradition—called nyohō, a practice of exploring the dharma as it’s expressed through the material world around us. These teachings offer a way for us to touch, smell, taste, view, and hear the dharma—to hold it in our hands. They invite us not only to consider our practice in terms of the Buddha's original teachings but also to take creative responsibility for it in each moment.
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Nyohō means being in accord with the dharma. In traditional monastic terms, nyohō is discussed in terms of color, materials, and size as they relate to food (how it is prepared, how it is served, how it is received), clothing (robes), and shelter (the relational dimensions of the monastery itself). But the idea of nyohō extends into every aspect of our lives, and invites the larger question, “What does it mean, in this moment, to express the Dharma?” What informs such a practice? And what are the ingredients of creating an atmosphere of practice for others? This exploration can start from shikantaza; it can also be the thing that leads us to it.

Workshop Schedule

9am - Zazen
9:30 - Workshop
12pm - Zazen
12:30 - Lunch (provided for in-person participants)
1:30 - Workshop
4:30 - Zazen
5pm - Finish

Join Koun as we embark on our year of Tangible Thusness, exploring nyohō teachings and practice as a sangha at Sanshin throughout 2025.

This workshop is offered both in-person and virtually via Zoom.

Computer skills checklist for virtual participants

In order to participate successfully, you'll need to know how to:

• Sign into your Zoom account and join a meeting
• Mute and unmute your microphone within Zoom
• Bookmark and return to a web page
• Download and print or retrieve documents attached via email
• Adjust the volume of your computer speaker or headset

​If you are not comfortable with these activities, please get help from family or friends well before the workshop begins.​​

​Registration is now closed. If you've already registered, we'll be sending you logistical information by email on Thursday, Jan 23rd.