Sōtō Zen Buddhism (Sōtōshū) is one of the Zen Buddhist traditions in Japan, inspired by the example and the teachings of Eihei Dōgen Zenji (1200-1253), who is considered one of the two founders together with Keizan Jōkin Zenji (1264-1325).

The fundamental practice of Sōtō Zen is zazen (sitting still meditation) as taught by Dōgen, which is not only a kind of meditation, but the core of the Buddha Way, representing the appearance of Buddha awakening in our life.

The teachings of Sōtō Zen are based primarily on Dōgen Zenji’s vast literary work, first of all the “Shōbōgenzō”(Treasury of the eye of the true dharma), underlining the fundamental tenets of Buddhism, conceived as an universal path of liberation from suffering for human beings in any time and living condition.

The Europe Office is the institutional representative of Japanese Sōtō Zen Buddhism in Europe: its main function is to assist priests who are devoting themselves to the mission of spreading the Sōtō Zen teachings here in Europe.

Presently there are around 300 facilities in Europe (temples, centers and dojos) inspired by Sōtō Zen teachings, many of them connected directly with Sōtō Zen institution. There are more than 300 priests registered as Sōtō Zen clerics.

This Europe Office has administrative functions and performs various activities to promote exchanges between Europe and Japan, as for example:

Sōtō Zen Buddhism Europe Office was first established in France forty years ago, then reestablished in June, 2002 in Milan, Italy. Since 2006 the office has been moved to Paris, France.

 

Contact

• SOTO ZEN BUDDHISM EUROPE OFFICE
• 277 rue du faubourg Saint Antoine, 75011, Paris, FRANCE
• Tel: 33-1-4633-7738
• Fax: 33-1-4633-6004
• info@sotozen.eu
• open 9:00 - 17:00 / close Sat, Sun and National Holidays in France

Staff members

• Director(Sokan)
• Sōhō Kakita
• Born in Kumamoto, Japan.
  Practiced at Eiheiji for 4 years.
  Worked for Komazawa univ. for 27 years.
  Served as Ino at Chokoku-ji (Branch temple of Eiheiji) for 2 years.
  Been the head of Soto Zen Buddhism Europe Office since 2024.

• Administrative Secretary (part-time)
• Hojun SZPUNAR
• A Polish Soto Zen priest.
  Practiced Zen both in Europe and in Japan. After studying Japanese language in Poland he moved to Japan to study and practice Zen. At present he oversees the Zen sangha in Poland and helps with translating Buddhist teachings. While living in Tokyo he instructs zazen and gives lectures for the Japanese and foreigners visiting Japan.
  He has been a staff member of Sōtō Zen Buddhism Europe office since 2021.

• Administrative Secretary (part-time)
• Seigaku HIGUCHIi
• Practiced at Eiheiji(Fukui pref.), Currently active within UNDO in Berlin, Germany. Also involved in the Sakura Village, oriented toward "Good life for generations”.
  He has been a staff member of Sōtō Zen Buddhism Europe office since 2021.

• Responsible for General Affairs
• Keishū KATAOKA
• Born 1993 in Kanagawa, Japan.
  He practiced in Sojiji(Kanagawa pref.) from 2015 to 2016.
  He has been a staff member of Sōtō Zen Buddhism Europe office since 2019.