Sokanbu Sesshin Seminar was held at Kanshoji
A Sokanbu sesshin seminar was held at Kanshoji France between the 6th and 9th March 2014.
The seminar looked to provide participants with an experience of traditional monastic practice whilst being accompanied by guidance and explanation.
Lectures and instructions were offered by Rev. Jisō Forzani (director of Sōtō Zen Buddhism Europe office) who shared from his understanding and experience of the “Tenzo Kyōkun (Instructions to the head cook)”.
Rev. Ikii Nambara (assistant director Sōtō Zen international center) lectured on the “Shingi” (rules for Sangha) and “Gyōji Kihan” (standard observances of the Sōtō zen school).
Rev. Yūshō Sasaki spoke of learning the “Zen Way” by the approach (attitude) and actualization (practice) of monastic forms and rituals.
15 participants from 7 European countries attended and they were generously supported by Kanshoji practitioners.
Rev. Ikki Nambara
Rev. Yūshō Sasaki
Lecture in the Hatto
Winter Kessei Ceremonies 2014 in Europe
Rev. Takuzan Igarashi, the abbot of Zenpoji monastery in Yamagata prefecture Japan, visited Europe from 20th February for 12 days.
He was invited in the capacity of Jokeshi, the official senior priest necessary to accompany the abbot at Kessei ceremonies. In his presence Kessei ceremonies were held at Kanshoji France on the 22nd and 23rd February and at Fudenji Italy on the 1st and 2nd March., On the 3rd March he also attended the 30th anniversary of Fudenji.
Rev. Takuzan Igarashi
Kanshoji
Baika chanting at Fudenji
International Liaison Conference 2014 in Japan
The International Liaison Conference was held at Sotoshu Shumucho (Soto Zen Administrative Head Quarters) in Tokyo Japan on Thursday 9th January. This is an annual conference to discuss and report on the international missionary activities between the staff members of the 4 Sokanbu offices (Hawaii, North America, South America and Europe) and the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center with the International department of Shumucho. We reported our activities of the preceding year and discussed the future of Sotoshu international missionary work.
Address by Rev. Kojima
Opening of Shingetsuji
On the 1st December 2013, Shingetsuji, the Zen center of Barcelona Spain , celebrated their long awaited inauguration ceremony.
In attendance were 100 participants, members and friends. It was officiated by Rev. Dōsho Saikawa, the director of Soto Zen Buddhism South America Office and Shingetsuji’s director Rev. Pedro Taihō Secorún. participants.
Zazen Hall
Participants
Office Closing 23th December - 12th January
Our office will close from 23th December to 12th January.
During the closure, please contact with our staff's Email for urgent matter.
Sokanbu Sesshin Seminar at Kanshoji
A Sesshin Seminar will be held at Kanshoji from 6th (Thu) to 9th (Sun) March 2014. In this seminar participants will be able to experience some of the traditional monastic practice of the Japanese Soto School. The seminar is for the registered Sotoshu monks and nuns who do not yet have a Kyoshi (Teacher’s) license.
It will consist of lectures on a Zen text given by Rev. Jiso Forzani, the director of Soto European Office; instructions on the basic attitude and manners required in a Sodo/ monastic life (how to wear and fold robes and kimonos, how to walk, sit, and sleep inside the monastery, eating comportment in Zazen hall etc); and guidance about basic procedure and roles of rituals. Rev. Yusho Sasaki (ex-staff of Soto Europe Office) and Rev. Ikki Nambara (Assistant director of Soto Zen International Center) are invited as guest instructors.
The number of participants is limited to 20 persons. The fee is 50 Euros (room and board included).
To apply, please fill in the “Entry Sheet Kanshoji Seminar” file along with a photocopy of your Priest Registration Certificate and send it to our office by the 25th Jan. If we receive more than twenty applications, a selection will be made and it will be announced by the beginning of February.
[Entry Sheet Kanshoji Seminar] 
| Date | 6th (Thu) to 9th (Sun) March 2014 |
| Place | Monastère Zen Kanshoji 24450 La Coquille, France (The nearest Train station is La Coquille) Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 52 06 35 / Fax: +33 (0) 5 53 62 38 61 E-mail: kanshoji@wanadoo.fr / URL: http://www.kanshoji.org/ |
| Application Fee | 50 Euros |
| Participants | 20 persons maximum |
| Prerequisites | Official registration as Soto school’s priests/nuns NOT appointed as Soto school’s Kyoshi (teacher) |
| Application | Please submit your entry sheet to our office by 25th January by Email, Fax or postal mail. Make sure you include a photocopy of your Priest Registration Certificate. |
Sokanbu annual seminar 2013 was held
Sokanbu annual seminar was held at La Gendronniere in France from Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th October. We invited as lecturer Professor Kiyozumi (Seijun) Ishii from Komazawa University in Tokyo, who specializing in the study of Zen Buddhism and Dogen’s teachings. Following the theme “Recent Trends and technological instruments in the study of the doctrinal foundation of Sōtōzen teachings”, he introduced the history and contents of Sotozen studies, and the practical study method. We also read one of the Shobogenzo fascicles “kajō” by using digital tool like The SAT Daizokyo Text Datebase , Digital Dictionary of Buddhism and so on. This seminar was opend to public, there were about 100 participants.
Participants from Association members
Prof. Kiyozumi Ishii
Seminar room
Sokanbu Seminar 2013
“Sokanbu Seminar 2013” will be held Saturday 19th – Sunday 20t October 2013 at La Gendronniere. We will invite Professor Seijun Ishii, President of Komazawa University who will lecture on studying Dogen Zenji’ texts such as “Shobogenzo” and “Eihei Koroku.” Seminar is open to everyone who is interested in the topic.
[Invitation Letter] [Schedule 2013] [Attendance Sheet]
Office Closing 12th - 20th August
Our office will close from 12th to 20th in August.
During the closure, please contact with our staff's Email for urgent matter.
Summer Kessei Ceremonies 2013 in Europe
Rev. Dosho Saikawa, the director of Soto Zen Buddhism South America Office, visited Europe from 22nd June for 1 week. He was invited as Jokeshi, an advisor for the Abbot at the Kessei ceremonies at Ryumonji, France on June 23rd and Kosetsuji, Switzerland on June 24th. For Kosetsuji it was first Kessei ceremonies.
Rev. Dosho Saikawa
Ryumonji
Kosetsuji
Sokanbu General Assembly 2013
The General Assembly and Annual Conference of the Association “Centre Europeen du Bouddhisme Soto Zen” for this year was held at La Gendronniere in France Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th May. The guests were from Shotoshu Shumucho (Administrative Headquarters) in Japan: Rev.Taido kojima, Director of Dissemination Division and Rev. Kenshu Matsuo, Chief of International Department.
Twenty-five members of the association gathered from around Europe to discuss about the topics based on the discussion result over the committee for the future development of Soto Zen in Europe on March.
We have prepared the summary report of this meeting for the association members.
Association members
Rev.Taido KOJIMA
Annual Conference
New Appointed Kokusai Fukyoshi
On 31th March 2013 Rev. MARRADI Shinnyo(Tempio Zen Firenze Shinnyoji, Italy) and on 10th May 2013 Rev. VIVIANI Seishin (Il Cerchio Vuoto, Italy) were appointed as Kokusai Fukyoshi by Sotoshu.
Kokusai Fukyoshi refers to the missionary priests outside of Japan, officially appointed by Institution of Soto Zen Japan.
New office of European Sokanbu
On 1st May, our office has been moved to the following address. Telephone and Fax numbers have not been changed.
277 Rue du faubourg Saint Antoine, 75011, Paris, France
Entering from the main road, there is a alley inside. Our office is left side and the end of the alley.
the alley
Office Room
Reception Room
Archive