Sanshin Zen Community

1726 S. Olive St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
website: sanshinji.org

Description of Organization

Sanshin Zen Community is an international sangha founded in 1996 by Shohaku Okumura Roshi, a Soto Zen priest and respected translator of the thirteenth century Japanese Zen master, Eihei Dogen Zenji. At their facility in Bloomington, IN, the community offers opportunities such as daily practice, weekly Dharma talks, sesshin and retreats, and a three-month ango (practice period).

Sanshin Zen Community exists to enable the practice of shikantaza in the style of Uchiyama Roshi, deep study of Dogen Zenji’s teachings, and commitment to beneficial action. “Shikantaza in the style of Uchiyama Roshi” is characterized by three elements:

  1. The study of the meaning of zazen in the context of Buddha’s teachings.
  2. Letting go of extra activities or formalities in an effort to focus on zazen.
  3. Finding the significance of zazen and study in modern daily life.

Grant(s) Awarded

In 2019, A grant was awarded in the amount of $3,250 to make live teachings by an internationally known Zen practitioner-scholar available to a wider audience than would be able to attend his lectures in person, to raise money through live streaming these lecture events as well as other events, and to develop and use a library of video recordings as one of the bases for a subscription-based, sustainable funding platform. Funding includes support for hardware to upgrade to high-speed internet service, high speed internet service, video and audio equipment, and video delivery software.