A little temple with a big heart.
Kojin-an means "Good People Hermitage". It's a second home to many people committed to bringing the spirit of Zen practice into daily their lives. This humble temple was built similarly to neighborhood and family temples all over Japan. It's a lovely space to practice within in the company of friends. You have our warmest invitation to join us and experience Zen through meditation (known as zazen) and in the traditional Japanese arts of calligraphy, tea ceremony, and enjoying the company of good people.
Temple Activities
坐禅
The practice of zen
Shikantaza or “just sitting” emphasizes returning to proper posture, breath, and awareness moment by moment.
For several decades the Sunday morning Zazenkai, or "sitting group", has been the warm heart of practice at Kojin An. We sit Zazen, with the option of one or two 40 minute periods of sitting, followed by a brief formal service reciting the Great Heart Sutra, zendo cleaning, and ending with informal tea and conversation.
SCHEDULE
Sunday Service
8am - Early Zazen (40min)
8:40am - Kinhin (Walking meditation)
9am - Zazen (40min)
9:40am - Service
~10am - Soji (Cleaning)
~10:30am - Tea
Fridays
6am - Zazen (40min)
6:40am - 7:30am - Service
General Weekdays
Morning Zazen available.
Please inquire during Sunday tea time.
茶道
Tea ceremony
The way of tea provides a bridge between an internal practice, like Zazen, and our external relationships with people and objects. Tea focuses the mind in the present moment, in “ichi go ichi e” a unique meeting once in a lifetime. Tea class provides a bridge between the material and spiritual world, between the abstract and the pragmatic, between people and wider nature. It is a venue to appreciate beautiful works of art and share warm social interactions.
SCHEDULE
Most Saturdays
Contact us for upcoming classes.
書道
CALLIGRAPHY
The Kojin An Sangha holds practice and lessons in traditional Japanese brush calligraphy most Saturdays. Usually taught by the accomplished Yoko Muroga sensei who has been practicing daily for many years. Both kanji and hiragana are practiced in a quiet and relaxed setting. A basic literacy in Japanese may be helpful, though not necessary.
Occasionally workshops are also held in Sumi-e painting, and in Shakyo sutra copying.
SCHEDULE
Most Saturdays
Contact us for upcoming classes.
about YOUR FIRST visit
Not all residents on the property are involved in temple activities and we ask that their privacy at home is respected. Because we are not a strictly public space we kindly ask that new visitors contact us prior to their first visit. We also ask that people do not visit outside of scheduled practice times without previous arrangements.
