Special Dissemination of Soto Zen Buddhism
Dharma Talk by Reverend Kosai Ikeda
“Practicing the Buddha way wherever and whenever.”
Saturday, September 16, 11:00 a.m.
Via Zoom & In-person
INFO
Greetings,
I have been honored to share the teachings of Soto Zen on behalf of the Head Priest at his request at various places as a Tokuha Fukyoshi (Soto Zen teacher appointed to convey the message of the head priest of Soto Zen School). Ever since I left Eiheiji temple, I have been leading groups of Zazen, Dharma Talk and Shakyo (Sutra Copying) and have been learning and practicing the teachings of Dogen Zenji with the community members.
On the other hand, I have been serving as a Buddhist chaplain of the local correctional facility for the last 15 years helping the inmates with their rehabilitation and re-entry programs. Regardless of circumstances, those who have aroused the mind to study the Way all equally have the eyes reflecting their sincere dedication.
Repenting their own shortcomings, their mind and heart are seeking the teaching of truth. While practicing the Buddha-way, I have been learning Kendo (Way of Sword) and teaching it to children.
Kendo was something I also briefly shared with people in San Francisco, where I realized that moments of empathy and awes transcend the barriers of languages. I see this is also exactly the same among those who walk on the Buddha-Way.
It is a great honor for me to visit temples overseas for the first time on behalf of the head priest of Soto Zen school in Japan. I hope you will kindly accept me as a sangha friend who shares the same aspiration.
I will certainly do my very best to share my talk in English but, admittedly, it will take our mutual effort, patience, imagination and open mind and kindness to share the deep meaning of the talk. I hope we can make the most of this opportunity as a practice opportunity for each other and learn from each other.
SPEAKER
Reverend Kosai Ikeda
- Graduated from Sakata Higashi High School Yamagat Prefecture, Japan
- Dropped out of Hosei University, Faculty of Law and studied in the US
- Graduated from College of San Mateo
- Enrolled in Ango training at Chokoku-ji temple, Daihonzan Eihei-ji Betsuin (Branch Temple) in 1999
- Enrolled in Ango training at Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple in 2000
- Currently the abbot of Kenryu-ji temple Chonai-cho town in Yamagata prefecture
- Tokuha Fukyoshi (Soto Zen Teacher Specially appointed to be a delegate of the Head Priest)
- Fukyo-shi Yoseijo Koshi (Instructor at the instittue to the Fukyo-shi disseminating teacher)
- Kendo (Way of Sword) Instructor for the Elementary and Junior High School students
EVENT FEE
This event is provided without a fee, but please consider making a small donation to ZCLA to support our programs.
(If you have any questions, please contact Myoki at programsteward@zcla.org)