 News A message from the Head Priest of Sotoshu in 2025: Every year the head priest of Sotoshu gives an official message. The following is a translation offered by Sotoshu for English speakers. The various problems facing the world today are complex and layered. It is not an exaggeration to say that the crisis threatening basic human rights, such as the right to live in peace and the dignity of life, is only growing. As followers of Shakyamuni Buddha and two founders of Soto Zen Buddhism, we must know the sure path to follow. Shakyamuni Buddha realized the law of dependent origination (the interconnectedness of all things) and, through his wisdom, observed everything correctly. He demonstrated with his own life that harmony with others is achieved through compassion. This way of life, free from self-interest and egoism, is what we should follow. Dogen Zenji taught, “Learn the backward step that turns the light and shines it inwards.” This means to pause in our steps, adjust our breath, step back two or three paces, and humbly reflect on our actions in the light of the Buddhist path. Keizan Zenji taught, “We must always generate thoughts of harmony and reconciliation.” The disturbance of harmony is, throughout all ages, caused by human self-interest and desire, namely greed. It is this greed that is the source of suffering and the root of conflict. Since this world is impermanent and selfless, the sun and moon shine without personal attachment, illuminating everything. We too wish to engage with all things and all circumstances with the utmost sincerity. The act of gassho (palms together in reverence) is to align oneself with the Buddha. By engaging in zazen (seated meditation), where we can awaken to the Buddha within ourselves, let us pray and wish for a peaceful life for all people across the world, ensuring that no one is left behind. Let us continue to practice the way of the Bodhisattva together. Gassho Homage to the Buddha Shakyamuni Homage to Zen Master Dogen, Great Master Joyo, Eminent Ancestor Homage to Zen Master Keizan, Great Master Josai, Great Ancestor 1 April 2025 Donin Minamisawa Head Priest of the Sotoshu  New book featuring Okumura Roshi: When Thinking is a Problem is a collection of essays examining the activity of thinking and how it is a primary factor in suffering at the individual as well as at the collective level, while at the same time, a necessary function that is often taken for granted and misused. The collection includes a chapter and translation by Okumura Roshi. The book is edited by Charles Eigen, who practices at Milwaukee Zen Center, and is now available for pre-order. Practice recapBuddha's birthday: The sangha marked Buddha's birthday on Sunday, April 6th with a dharma talk by Okumura Roshi and our brief annual ceremony. Buddha's birthday is one of the sanbukki, or three Buddha days, marking the important event's in Shakyamuni's life -- his birth, awakening, and death. Our Dogen Institute recently published an e-book (Plum Blossoms in the Snow) featuring teachings given on these three days over the years at Sanshin by Okumura Roshi and Hoko.
Sewing retreat: This year's cohort of three lay precepts recipients spent the week of April 7 - 14 sewing their rakusu, which they will formally receive as part of the jukai-e ceremony at the end of this year's precepts retreat in July. Two others dropped in for parts of the retreat to sew robes along their paths to ordination and dharma transmission. Esho Morimoto led several hours of sewing instruction each day, Hoko and Yuko offered teachings and presentations related to the meaning of sewing and wearing nyoho-e, and Hoko and Hosshin (this year's preceptor) worked together to cook meals for the participants. Recordings of Hoko's and Yuko's presentations will be made available in relevant sections of Sanshin Source in the coming weeks.
April work day: The sangha gathered at Sanshin for our monthly work day on Sunday April 13th. Inside the temple, practitioners worked on electrical wiring in and around the zendo while sewing retreat participants continued to sew their rakusu. In the breezy sunny weather outside, practitioners weeded the moss garden and native flower planting area, cleared the area where a new toolshed will be placed later this year, and screened our temple compost heap toward use in our sangha vegetable garden plot. Our next work day is scheduled for May 11th. Coming up Virtual dharma study intensive on Ejo's Komyozo-Zanmai (register by Tues, Apr 29th) May 1 - 10, 2025, 10 - Noon online with Okumura Roshi Over the course of ten mornings this May, Okumura Roshi will offer ten lectures on his own new translation of Komyozo-Zanmai (The Samadhi of the Radiant Light Treasury), a text attributed to Koun Ejo Zenji. Koun Ejo (1198 - 1282) was Dogen Zenji's close attendant, principle dharma heir, and the second abbot of Eiheiji following Dogen's death. He transcribed and compiled many of Dogen's writings and discourses, but Komyozo-zanmai is the only original writing attributed to Ejo. In it, Dogen's shikantaza (our practice of zazen) is discussed as the samadhi of the radiant light treasury. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER BY APR 29  Tangible Thusness: Exploring nyoho food this May - August Continuing our yearlong investigation of the teachings of nyoho (things done or made according to dharma), we'll shift our primary focus from clothing to food during the second third of the year, May - August. Clothing, food, and shelter are traditionally regarded as the "three faces" of nyoho. Look out for Sunday talks as well as regular opportunities to engage in communal food practice through oryoki meals, local farm partnerships, and participation in our sangha vegetable garden.
Sanshin Network
Shodo Spring practiced at Sanshinji from 2004 to 2011. Her teaching now grows from that training and from learning and practicing permaculture during that time. LEARN MORE AND PRE-ORDER Are we reaching you? Do we have the best and most current contact information for you? If you've changed your e-mail address or moved to a new place of residence, or if we've never had complete information about how to reach you, it's time to update your record. Please take a moment to send us the contact information you'd like us to use. We'll check it against your current record and update as needed. Don't miss any of the upcoming communications from Sanshin -- update your info today!
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May 2025
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