Zenshuji Soto Mission

Zenshuji Soto Mission, officially known in Japanese as 曹洞宗北米両大本山別院禅宗寺 (Sōtōshū Hokubei Ryōdaihonzan betsuin Zenshūji), was established in 1922 in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It holds the significant historical distinction of being the very first Soto Zen Buddhist temple to be founded in North America. Today, Zenshuji serves as the principal North American headquarters for the Soto Zen school of Buddhism. It operates directly under the guidance of Sotoshu Shumucho, the main headquarters of Soto Zen located in Japan, and functions as a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji, the two supreme head temples of Soto Zen in Japan.

Temple Practice and Philosophy

Zenshuji adheres to the ancient teachings of Gautama Buddha, which have been preserved and transmitted for over 2,500 years. These teachings were notably passed down through Koso Dogen Zenji (1200–1253) and Taiso Keizan Zenji (1268–1325), who are revered as the founding patriarchs of Soto Zen. The core principles of Soto Zen were introduced to Japan approximately eight hundred years ago during the Kamakura period by Dogen Zenji. Keizan Zenji further developed and expanded the school, making its practices more accessible and popular among lay followers. Dogen Zenji founded Eiheiji Temple in what is now Fukui Prefecture in 1244, while Keizan Zenji established Sojiji Temple in present-day Kanagawa Prefecture in 1321. Both Eiheiji and Sojiji continue to function as the primary head temples and monasteries for the Soto Zen school.

Historical Development

The establishment of Zenshuji Soto Mission in Los Angeles in 1922 by Rev. Hosen Isobe followed his attendance at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. During this period, anti-immigration legislation made it exceedingly challenging for individuals of Japanese descent to acquire land in the United States. Despite these obstacles, land was successfully purchased in 1923, and the construction of the temple was completed in 1926. Zenshuji received official recognition as a non-profit organization from the United States in 1927. Its role as the North America Headquarters for Soto Zen and a direct branch of Eiheiji and Sojiji was formally established in 1937.

During World War II, when approximately 110,000 people of Japanese heritage were interned in detention camps, Zenshuji Soto Mission was temporarily closed. Its property was temporarily occupied by a Hindu temple and a Christian group for their respective worship services. Following the cessation of the war, Bishop Daito Suzuki, who became the third head priest on December 8, 1941, returned to Zenshuji and spearheaded its restoration efforts.

Several prominent figures have served at Zenshuji. Rev. Koun Yamada was the Bishop of North America at Zenshuji for nearly four years before returning to Japan to assume the presidency of Komazawa University and later become the abbot of Eiheiji. In the 1960s, Dr. Wako Kazumitsu Kato was a priest at Zenshuji; he later pursued an academic career, holding positions at several universities, including San Francisco State University, University of California, Berkeley, California State University, Los Angeles, and University of California, Los Angeles. He also served as Dean of International Studies at the Nagoya University of Foreign Studies for seven years and remains actively involved with Zenshuji. Bishop Kenko Yamashita is another key figure, having served as general supervisor for 26 years from the late 1960s through the mid-1980s.

Zenshuji Soto Mission Today

Currently, Rev. Shumyo Kojima maintains an office at Zenshuji and frequently officiates at various ceremonies and services held at the temple. Rev. Kojima is tasked with continuing Zenshuji's mission to provide guidance in Soto Zen practice to the ethnically diverse population of Los Angeles, catering to those seeking spiritual, intellectual, or social fulfillment.