ABOUT US
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).
Message from Reverend
Rev. Koshi Kurotaki (黒瀧 康之)
Hometown: Hirosaki City, Aomori prefecture (青森県弘前市)
Sokoji’s Open Door Policy
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.
So when you find yourself near our temple, please do not hesitate to ring the bell and have a cup of tea with a casual chat of “ichi-go ichi-e”.
The door is always open.
鎖鑰放閑(さやくほうかん)さもあらばあれ善財(ぜんざい)の一歩を進め来るに
これは曹洞宗の大本山である永平寺の山門に掛かっている言葉であり、「鎖鑰放閑」とはこの門に鍵も鎖もない、と言う意味で「善財」は善財童子という名の、本当の教えを求めて旅をした人を指します。つまり「真の修行を求める志を持つ者は、どうぞ自由に入って修行しなさい」という意味になります。
日本にはこの様に常に門が開かられているお寺が多く、修行を求めるとまではいかなくても、お客さんがいつでも立ち寄れるようになっています。
「あ、和尚さんこんにちは。近くに来たもので」と気軽に立ち寄って世間話にお茶を一杯。時には日ごろの悩みを住職に打ち明けたり、相談したり、お土産と土産話を持って訪れたり。 私の実家のお寺でよく目にした光景です。
私がここ桑港寺に赴任して最初に感じたカルチャーショックは出入り口でした。厳重なオートロックとセキュリティシステム、そして監視カメラ。その鎖鑰放閑とは程遠いお寺の作りは、決して治安がいいとは言えないここサンフランシスコでは無くてはならないものなのでしょう。
ただ、鎖鑰放閑とはもちろん、実際の鍵や鎖の有無だけを指す言葉では無いでしょう。いつでも門を開け放ってるような気持ちで、来る人を拒まず、受け入れて、歓迎する気持ち。これさえしっかり持っていればこのお寺は鎖鑰放閑と言えるのではないでしょうか。
「一期一会」という言葉はご存知だと思いますが、実はこれは元々茶道から生まれた言葉で、「たとえいつもの茶会だとしても、全く同じということは一生に二度とないから、何事もおろそかにせず丹精に尽くしましょう」という意味があります。
何よりも「今」を大事にするというのは禅の修業の中でも最も重要なことの一つです。
どうぞお寺の近くに訪れた際は、鍵が掛かってるからと踵を返す事はせず、チャイムを鳴らしてみてください。
世間話をしつつ、一期一会のお茶を一杯どうぞ。
History
Original temple on 1881 Bush Street
Former Reverends of Sokoji
Interior of original temple on 1881 Bush Street
1934
Founded by Reverend Hosen Isobe and Japanese-Americans in San Francisco.
In December, founders purchase the Bush Street Synagogue at 1881 Bush Street, San Francisco (the original Sokoji temple building). Dedication ceremony performed.
1937
In May, Incorporated in the State of California
1942
In April, Temple closed due to World War II (payments toward the purchase of the building continued voluntarily by congregation members from U.S. relocation camps)
1948
Temple re-opened for services by Reverend Rien Takahashi after World War II
1950
Reverend Hodo Tobase assigned to Sokoji. Reverend Tobase begins lectures for a small of group of non-Japanese speaking Soto Zen follower
1951
In August, Fujinkai (Women's Club) officially recognized
1959
Reverend Shunryu Suzuki assigned to Sokoji
1961
Reverend Shunryu Suzuki established Zen Center at Sokoji for non-Japanese speaking members to practice zazen (meditation)
1967
Reverend Shunryu Suzuki founds Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Zenshiji
1969
Reverend Shunryu Suzuki resigns from Sokoji in order to lead the San Francisco Zen Center at 300 Page Street San Francisco
1970
Soko Joshi Judo Class by Professor Keiko Fukuda is established. Fukuda Sensei was the highest ranked female judoka in history (10th dan from the US Judo Foundation).
Reverend Daigo Moriyama assigned to Sokoji. New style Goeika, Baika, (Sutra chanting) is introduced by Reverend Renpo Niwa from Japan. Sokoji Goeika group begins practicing Baika.
1973
Reverend Kyoin Fujikawa assigned to Sokoji
1970s
Sokoji Board of Directors begins discussing options to repair the temple located at 1881 Bush Street or build a traditional Japanese style temple in another location. The decision was made to build a new temple and a building committee was formed to oversee budget, fund raising, building plans, etc.
1978
Reverend Shozen Hosokawa assigned to Sokoji
1979
Shorinji Kempo Martial Arts School is established by Sensei Yuji Harada
1980
Construction of the new temple begins at 1691 Laguna Street, San Francisco
1984
In April, Dedication ceremonies are held at the new temple
1986
In February, "O-Jukai-E" (Receiving of the Precepts Ceremony) officiated by Renpo Niwa Zenji Abbot of Eiheiji
1988
In September, Initial issue of "Baika" newsletter published by the Fujinkai
1992
Third United States Soto Conference is held at Sokoji
1994
In October, Ceremonies for the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Sokoji and the 10th Anniversary of the new temple building are held
1997
Reverend Ikki Nambara assigned to Sokoji
1999
Soto Zen Education Center moves to Sokoji. In 2002 the name is changed to Soto Zen Buddhism International Center.
2002
Reverend Kiko Tatedera assigned to Sokoji.
In October, Pilgrimage to Eiheij for the 750th Anniversary of Dogen Zenji's Entering Nirvana
2004
In October, Ceremonies for the 70th Anniversary of the founding of Sokoji are held
2009
In October, Ceremonies for the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Sokoji are held
2012
Reverend Kiko Tatedera resigns to return to his family temple in Miyagi-ken, Shinryuin, due to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake/Tsunami
2015
Reverend Koshi Kurotaki assigned to Sokoji