April 2026 - In this issue:
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Dandelion sprouting from stones, early spring at Sanshin
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-- Commentaries & resources --
Sōkai (僧海) was a young monk, but an important member of the community for Dōgen and the assembly of monks at Kōshōji. However, we have only limited information about Sōkai. He was the second head monk (首座, shuso) after Ejō, and when he died, he was twenty-seven years old, so he was born in 1216. Another piece of information we have from one of the old biographies of Dōgen, Eiheiji Sanso Gogyōki (永平寺三祖行業記, Record of the Three Ancestors of Eiheiji), is that Sōkai was one of the three dharma heirs of Dōgen. The other two were Ejō (懐奘, 1198–1280), the second abbot of Eiheiji, and Senne (詮慧, n.d.), the founder of Yōkōji (永興寺) in Kyoto and the author of Okikigaki (御聞書), the oldest commentary on the Shōbōgenzō. The same text says that the third abbot of Eiheiji, Tettsū Gikai (徹通義介), along with his teacher Ekan (懐鑑) joined the Kōshōji sangha in 1241, when Gikai was twenty-three years old.[2] It seems Gikai was moved and encouraged when he heard Sōkai’s verse of “realizing the Way and passing away (悟道逝偈, godō seige)”—in other words, when he heard Sokai’s yuige (death verse), which is discussed below. Unfortunately, that is all we know about Sōkai. However, when we read Dōgen’s jōdō 111 and 112, we can see that Dōgen was deeply saddened by Sōkai’s death. READ MORE.
These five core precepts are aimed at helping the practitioner to develop self-control, cultivate mindfulness, and prevent wrong actions. These are the first steps in establishing a regular practice and becoming spiritually mature, with a high degree of compassion and wisdom. In the Abhisanda Sutta, the Buddha sets out these five precepts, “original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated from the beginning—that are not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion, and are unfaulted by knowledgeable contemplatives and brahmans.” He explains that by keeping these precepts, practitioners not only free limitless other beings from danger, animosity and oppression, they also free themselves. READ MORE.
 -- Practice recap --
 -- Coming up -- Virtual dharma study intensive with Okumura Roshi: Kesa Kudoku, Part II - register by Apr 23rd 10 weekday mornings, Apr 27 - May 1 & May 4 - 8, 10 am - noon ET (and recorded for registrants) Registration is open for just over one more week (through April 23rd) for this spring's virtual dharma study intensive, during which Okumura Roshi will continue his commentary on Eihei Dogen Zenji's Kesa Kudoku (Virtue of the Kashaya), offering ten lectures on his own translation. In this text, Dogen discusses the meaning and importance of Buddha's robe (known as kashaya or okesa) as a direct expression and transmission of the dharma, supporting us and others through our day-to-day practice – whether or not we're wearing a rakusu or okesa ourselves. Whether or not you were present for Okumura Roshi's lectures last fall, you are welcome to join us for this spring's series. Background materials will be provided to registrants. Learn more & register.  5-day June sesshin -- register by May 26th June 2 - 7 This year's 5-day June sesshin is part of our three-month practice period, or ango. During the ango, a shuso, or head novice, serves as an apprentice teacher in order to develop leadership skills as Soto Zen clergy. While Hoko will lead the sesshin, our shuso, Myogen Ahlstrom, will also serve as a model of practice in the zendo for the community. Learn more & register.  -- Sanshin Network --
Fortunately, our weekend did not only consist of hard work! We enjoyed a sight-seeing trip to the old city center, a visit to a traditional coffee house (lots of cake included), a piano concert at the famous Musikverein concert hall and, last but not least, a late-night sausage snack with cold beers on a street corner. Special thanks go to Sangha member Sue for providing us with stew and even more cake during the conference, and to Ewald who continued to offer zazen practice on Zoom. The meeting was concluded with a memorial ceremony for a recently deceased sangha member from Germany. These meetings might be short, but they keep nourishing us for a long time. To take the time and effort to meet in person, practice zazen together, and realize that on some level, we all face the same challenges and can support one another, is well worth it. The next meeting will take place in March 2027 in Rome (Italy), hosted by Centro Zen Anshin.  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 go here 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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