Blog Archive

50 years ago this March, Chozen-ji moved into the 2.5 acres of land in Kalihi Valley that we still call home to this day. Tanouye Roshi had inspired some of the original members to take personal risk and put their houses up as collateral to secure the loan for the land. This deep commitment commenced an intensive period of building–of both the physical structures and the community of Chozen-ji.

Our recent Rohatsu sesshin was well attended, with 21 participants who were led by jiki Nalani Kaku.

This year's Zen Art Show was a big success, thanks to the many dojo teachers, priests and students who contributed art work, and the more than 50 regularly training students who volunteered

The executive leadership team of local, employee-owned construction supply company, HPM, returned this year for a second strategic business review at Chozen-ji. We also hosted a variety of other groups this fall and winter, exposing them to Zen training through the body and helping them develop new perspectives.

At this year’s summer sesshin, Chozen-ji Abbot Sayama Daian Roshi’s teisho was based on Omori Sogen Rotaishi’s commentary on the Ten Oxherding Pictures.  As he explained, there is no gradual path to the sudden enlightenment of Rinzai Zen, but nevertheless, the Ten Oxherding Pictures are a guide to students through its depiction of ten stages of self-development, in which the ox symbolizes the True Self.  

Our recent Rohatsu sesshin was well attended with 23 participants. We were led by jiki Jackson Sayama, and the group included five first time participants.

In anticipation of the Boxing Sesshin with Michele Aboro in October 2025, Chozen-ji offered an intensive training week in July for serious boxing students and an introduction to Zen & Boxing at the Gopa Boxing Gym in Oakland, California.

In February, 10 people came together from all over—from New York to Australia—to participate in a Zen & Japanese Woodworking workshop at the Dojo. In July, three local dojo members flew to Maine to participate in a larger timber framing project for the construction of a two-story blacksmith's workshop. Japanese carpentry continues to be practiced at the Dojo, with classes twice a week.

In May 2025, thirteen students gathered at Chozen-ji as part of the fourth cohort of Zen & Politics: The Way of Public Leadership (Z&P). Initially conceptualized and launched in 2019, Z&P is a six-week intensive training which applies the principles of Zen to politics, public service and community action. On its face, Zen and politics is an oxymoron. What has Zen have to do with politics and community engagement? 

On July 11th, the aikido class at Chozen-ji had its first ever dojo sleepover.  We participated in the evening zazen and kendo class before spending the night in the new housing across the street.  The next day we awoke early for zazen and aikido, and culminated the stay by exploring the stream.

At this year’s winter sesshin, Chozen-ji Abbot Sayama Daian Roshi’s teisho was on the lineage of Chozen-ji as chanted in the Teidai Denpo Busso No Myogo.

Chozen-ji continues to expand its offerings in Zen & Boxing. In collaboration with world champion Michele Aboro and led by chief instructor Carl He, we are now offering boxing four days a week. In July, we offered the first ever boxing sesshin and an introduction to Zen & Boxing at the Gopa Boxing Gym in Oakland, California.

Our recent Rohatsu sesshin was well attended with 23 participants. We were led by jiki Jackson Sayama, and the group included five first time participants.

On October 13, professional pianist and Chozen-ji student Katy Luo played all 53 of composer Joseph Haydn's complete and known sonatas for piano. Click to read more and watch videos of the event.

The second half of 2024 was busy with events at and outside of the Dojo. Read on to learn more about our annual Zen Art Show, Chozen-ji board member Bill Kaneko being honored by the Pacific Buddhist Academy, our annual Zen & Sake fundraising dinner, and seven different outreach events hosted with groups from the community at Chozen-ji.

During Summer Sesshin, Sayama Roshi gave teisho on Zen Master Hakuin, the 19th Japanese Patriarch who is in Chozen-ji’s lineage.

Hakuin (1685-1768) is known as the Patriarch who Revived Zen in a degenerate age when Zen was in danger of becoming a cultural pastime and losing its spiritual vitality. 

Our recent dai-sesshin was well attended with 15 participants. We were led by returning jiki Andrew Ching and the group included four first time participants who all showed up strong.

The third cohort of Zen & Politics: The Way of Public Leadership; Chozen-ji in Indian and Bhutan, and at May We Gather 2024 and Wisdom 2.0; and a new book from Chozen-ji priest Cristina Moon.

Katy Luo is a pianist and lecturer in music at the University of Hawaii West Oahu who frequently performs with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. In October, Katy is planning a one-day training event and "un-performance" at Chozen-ji of all 62 of composer Joseph Haydn's piano sonatas.