​To save all  beings means to be one with all beings.  We cannot become one with others by means of our individual efforts.  But we can wake up to the reality that from the beginning we are one with all beings.  That is why we study the obstacles that prevent us from seeing this reality.  That is how we become free from delusion.  To become free from delusion, we have to study the Buddha’s teachings.  Reality itself is also a teaching.  All beings in this universe -- trees, leaves, and animals -- teach us to awaken to the reality that is impermanent and egoless.  We are not sensitive enough to hear this teaching without effort, so we must actively listen and study.
-- Okumura Roshi

Deep study of Dogen Zenji’s teachings as a means of truly understanding the practice of regular intensive shikantaza is one of the three elements of Sanshin's mission.  It's an antidote to the "Zen sickness" described in the "Zazenshin" fascicle of his Shobogenzo.  That danger can come with doing a lot of sitting with gaining mind—searching for a peak experience or some personal benefit.  Thus dharma study is not an end in itself but assists our sitting practice.  As our ancestor Kodo Sawaki Roshi often said, "All Buddhist scriptures are only footnotes to zazen."

Regular study activities at Sanshin include Sunday morning dharma talks and Wednesday evening book discussions.  Sundays are open to vaccinated practitioners living in town and both Sundays and Wednesdays are available virtually.  Please contact us for access to our virtual practice page.

We also offer genzo-e (study retreats) several times each year.  For now, genzo-e are mainly virtual offerings.

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Sanshin helps to enable and support dharma study through its Dogen Institute, whose primary mission is to make available Shohaku Okumura’s life work on Dogen. Okumura Roshi’s translations, commentaries, and lectures are offered through books, audio, video, and web based materials. ​

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Protect Okumura Roshi.  Stop online piracy.
We're aware that bootleg copies of Okumura Roshi's books are sometimes available free online.  The files are acquired or created and posted without the permission of the publisher or the author, and amount to stolen property regardless of the intent of the person posting them.  Yes, the dharma is free.  Okumura Roshi's intellectual property, the result of countless hours of intensive work, is not.  Royalties from his publications constitute a significant portion of the income with which he supports himself and his family.  If you respect Okumura Roshi's writings and are drawn to him as a teacher, you will choose to acquire your copies of his books legally and provide the support he needs to continue his work.

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When I began genzo-e, I thought it is dangerous to sit so much as we do at Sanshinji without understanding the deep meaning of zazen practice taught by Dogen Zenji.  For me, zazen is the main thing;  studying Dogen Zenji's teachings is a support for intensive zazen practice.  Only intellectual understanding without sitting is not so meaningful.
-- Okumura Roshi

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See recorded talks by Okumura Roshi, Hoko and other dharma leaders on our YouTube channel.

Introduction to Dogen retreat
with Hoko 

February 3 - 6
Dogen's writings are a lifetime study, and one introductory weekend isn't nearly enough to prepare participants to study the Shobogenzo on their own.  However, this retreat introduces four kinds of important context  (social, Buddhist, literary and Dogen's life story), outlines major themes in Dogen's teaching, and looks at the state of Dogen studies in the West and how we can fruitfully approach these writings.  While this retreat is not a prerequisite for genzo-e participation, those aspiring to participate in such study may find it helpful.

Four forms of participation are possible for this retreat:

1) In-person participation in full days by fully vaccinated local practitioners.  The retreat day will include eight periods of zazen, two lectures, Q&A and three meals.  You may register for one, two or all three days.  

2) In-person participation on a drop-on basis by fully vaccinated local practitioners.  Local practitioners who would like to attend in-person on a drop-in / dana basis without meals are asked to complete the sign-up below.  Partial participation is welcome and you may attend as your life permits, but we do need to predict and manage the number of people in the zendo for reasons of public health.  

3) Standby list for fully vaccinated non-local practitioners ,  This event offers a limited number of non-local practitioners the chance to participate in person depending on availability.  If open seats remain once local practitioners have finished their own registration, those seats may be offered to non-locals who have placed themselves on a standby list and whose names are drawn by lot.  Non-locals must be fully vaccinated, prepared to travel and participate on short notice (likely one to two weeks), and to function as commuters while they're here.  Sanshin can provide neither housing nor transportation to and from the temple each day.  We'll contact those remaining on standby when all seats are filled. 

4) Virtual look-in.  The link for the retreat is available on the virtual practice page of our website; contact us for access to our virtual practice page if you are new to Sanshin.  Please note that this retreat is not conceived as a virtual event; you will be looking in on a retreat the primary focus of which is what's happening in person in the zendo.  Virtual participation begins with the first period of zazen on the opening evening.  No registration is necessary for virtual look-ins, although gifts of financial support are welcome and appreciated.

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daily schedule

Opening evening
5:00 Orientation
6:00 Supper
7:10 Zazen
8:00 End of day

Retreat days
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Kinhin
06:10 Zazen
07:00 Breakfast/personal time
08:10 Zazen
09:00 Kinhin
09:10 Lecture
10:30 Question & answer
10:50 Break
11:10 Zazen
12 pm Lunch/personal time
01:10 Zazen
02:00 Kinhin
02:10 Lecture
03:30 Break
04:10 Zazen
05:00 Kinhin
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Dinner/personal time
07:10 Zazen
08:00 End of day

Closing day
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Kinhin
06:10 Zazen
07:00 Breakfast/personal time
08:10 Zazen
09:00 Kinhin
09:10 Lecture
10:30 Question & answer
End of retreat

In-person registration for local practitioners only

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Drop-in signup for local practitioners only

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Standby list for non-local practitioners
Do NOT assume you have a seat and plan to travel to Sanshin unless we contact you to confirm your registration.  Registration is not necessary for virtual look-ins.