Best Shinto Shrine Daly City Near Me

4worldlovers:
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4worldlovers:
“What is SOKOJI?” (Introduction Video) Click Here to watch the Video


With the purchase of a Jewish synagogue at 1881 Bush Street through the efforts of Reverend Hosen Isobe and Japanese American volunteers, Soto Mission of San Francisco, Sokoji, was founded and dedicated on December 8, 1934 (the date of the Jodoe - Buddha's attaining enlightenment). In 1942 Sokoji closed its doors due to World War II, but managed to continue making payments towards the purchase of the building by congregation members while being interned at various U.S. relocation camps. After World War II in 1948, the Temple re-opened for services by Reverend Rien Takahashi. Once again through the strong support from congregation members, Sokoji was relocated to its current location at 1691 Laguna Street in 1984 after four years of construction. The temple reflects a Japanese architectural style, both in the interior and the exterior. Sokoji has continued to be a place for not only the Japanese American community but for all people of different backgrounds to practice their Soto Zen beliefs and Zazen (Zen meditation).


At the entrance gate of Eihei-ji Temple in Fukui Prefecture Japan, there is a sign that states: “Please feel free to enter. There is no chain or key to our gate.”


Many temples in Japan have a similar open door policy where guests are free to enter at any time. It allows a casual or curious guest make an unannounced visit to a temple feel welcome where they are often treated to a cup of tea or an informal chat with the resident priest. Guests also visit temples to seek advice or to simply share an experience, and often bear gifts from their travels.


This is the way in which my home temple has warmly received guests so when I arrived at Sokoji, it was a big culture shock for me to see that the front door to the temple not only remained locked throughout the day, but was also alarmed with a security system and camera. I now understand that the door needs to remain locked for security reasons, but I also know that it does not mean that we cannot open our mind and heart to welcome people to the temple. Thus when we have these feelings, our gate remains open at any time similar to the temples of Japan.

There is a saying born from the teaching of Japanese tea ceremony called “ichi-go ichi-e”. It has often been translated to mean a once in a lifetime chance in English. It also means that we should not neglect or ignore anything that happens in our lives, and that we should do our best to cherish each and every moment as we will never be able to repeat it again. This is also one of the most important aspects of Zen training.

4worldlovers: Our Temple was started in Berkeley one hundred years ago by Issei (first generation) pioneers from Japan. Though today we are still enjoying the ethnic traditions the founders brought with them, we are experiencing the exciting beginnings of broadening our base to include a multi-culturalism that can enhance and deepen our understanding of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.


BLEND is how we describe our acceptance and appreciation of our blended lives. It signifies that we can embrace the purity of those lives, and reflects the aspiration and commitment on the part of our temple and ourselves as Buddhists to understand and celebrate the richness, diversity and challenges of our blended lives.


May we all endeavor to think, speak and act in ways that will promote the inclusion of all people in our sangha and throughout our lives.


Join us for an evening of online silent meditation led by our minister, Rev. Kuwahara. Everyone is welcome and no prior experience needed. We will have a short discussion after. All are welcome!


Join us for BBT's monthly online study session. We will focus on Buddhist sutras this year. In the June session, we will learn SAM BUTSU GE. Rev. Kuwahara, Rev. CJ, and Tanis Moore will be presenting.


Tuesdays and Thursdays - June 20, 22, 27, 29 and July 6, from 7:30pm to 9pm

4worldlovers: Kojin-an means "Good People Hermitage". It's a second home to many people committed to bringing the spirit of Zen practice into daily their lives. This humble temple was built similarly to neighborhood and family temples all over Japan. It's a lovely space to practice within in the company of friends. You have our warmest invitation to join us and experience Zen through meditation (known as zazen) and in the traditional Japanese arts of calligraphy, tea ceremony, and enjoying the company of good people.


Shikantaza or “just sitting” emphasizes returning to proper posture, breath, and awareness moment by moment.

For several decades the Sunday morning Zazenkai, or "sitting group", has been the warm heart of practice at Kojin An. We sit Zazen, with the option of one or two 40 minute periods of sitting, followed by a brief formal service reciting the Great Heart Sutra, zendo cleaning, and ending with informal tea and conversation.


The way of tea provides a bridge between an internal practice, like Zazen, and our external relationships with people and objects. Tea focuses the mind in the present moment, in “ichi go ichi e” a unique meeting once in a lifetime. Tea class provides a bridge between the material and spiritual world, between the abstract and the pragmatic, between people and wider nature. It is a venue to appreciate beautiful works of art and share warm social interactions.


The Kojin An Sangha holds practice and lessons in traditional Japanese brush calligraphy most Saturdays. Usually taught by the accomplished Yoko Muroga sensei who has been practicing daily for many years. Both kanji and hiragana are practiced in a quiet and relaxed setting. A basic literacy in Japanese may be helpful, though not necessary.


Occasionally workshops are also held in Sumi-e painting, and in Shakyo sutra copying.

Not all residents on the property are involved in temple activities and we ask that their privacy at home is respected. Because we are not a strictly public space we kindly ask that new visitors contact us prior to their first visit. We also ask that people do not visit outside of scheduled practice times without previous arrangements.

Kojin-an has a warm community the atmosphere is rigorous and deep, yet open and friendly. Our sangha is led by Gengo and Yoshi Akiba who share a global vision of the dharma. For decades they have created venues for the like-minded to come together.

Rev. Gengo Akiba is an Eiheiji-trained Soto Zen priest who has participated in and supported Zen practice across the US, Japan, and Europe.

Ms. Yoshi Akiba is a spiritual-interpretive dancer, a multidisciplinary artist, a licensed teacher in the Omotesenke Way of Tea, the eponymous founder of Yoshi's jazz club, and co-founder of the educational nonprofit 51Oakland.

The Tenpyozan project is envisioned as a place for students of all the various lineages of Soto Zen to come together to practice. It will be a laboratory for the continuing process of transmission, translation, and adaptation. The project is supported by Zen teachers and practitioners from around the world. The buildings are currently under construction three hours drive North of San Francisco.