Winter 2025 Newsletter: Training Updates
Rohatsu Sesshin
Our recent Rohatsu sesshin was well attended, with 21 participants who were led by jiki Nalani Kaku. The group included five first time participants, as well as long-time dojo members who returned to Hawaii for sesshin from various, far flung places.
Sesshin participants did a lot of Hojo kata, as many knew all four seasons. During samu, they spread a fresh layer of gravel on the hill and by the Tea House. Kangen Roshi's teisho addressed the relationships between Zen and the fine arts. Our next dai sesshin will be held June 29 to July 5, 2026. Please reach out if you are planning to attend.
Zen & Boxing
A boxing sesshin was held at Chozen-ji, September 29 to October 5. 14 people, all of whom had been training in boxing at the dojo weekly for several months up to several years, participated under the leadership of boxing instructor Carl He and Kangen Roshi.
The boxing sesshin included four to five hours of intensive boxing and conditioning every day, morning and evening zazen, okyo, sanzen, and teisho.
Regular boxing classes are offered multiple days a week, and provide a base of fitness and boxing skill, in addition to the core elements of budo at Chozen-ji, such as hara, kiai first, and the Immovable Mind.
Additional opportunities for intensive boxing training will be available in 2026.
Intro to Zen Week
We hosted three participants for a one-week live-in period in the fall to offer new students from outside of Hawaii an introduction to Zen training at Chozen-ji. We are looking at potential dates for additional intro weeks in 2026.