Zen Calligraphy Workshop: Transcribing Sutra and Buddha

Saturday, June 14th, 1:00PM

The Buddhist practice of Shakyo and Shabutsu are means of spreading the Buddha Way among people through transcribing. It is also for praying for the fulfillment of one’s greatest wish. But today, besides these overtly religious purposes, shakyo and shabutsu allows one to reflect on ourselves, or to attain mental well-being by mindfully tracing the sacred scriptures and images. It does not matter if one has faith in Buddhism or not, or if one’s writing is good or not.   In modern situation, we can cherish quiet and serene moments fostered by shakyo and shabutsu, through calligraphy as Zen to deeply look at the self, which is an essential part of our everyday life.

Rev. Shumyo Kojima　　小島秀明国際布教師

Rev. Shumyo Kojima was born in November, 1968 as a priest’s son in their family temple.   He naturally gravitated towards becoming a Buddhist priest himself. Upon graduating from Komazawa University where he studied Buddhist history and philosophy, he entered the Soto Institute for Buddhist Studies, education department, where he studied for three years. As a trainee from the institute he embarked to the U.S. to temporarily join the staff at Zenshuji Soto Mission in Los Angeles. He entered Eiheiji Monastery at the age of 25. In 1995, He returned to Zenshuji to become a full time minister where he has remained for over 15 years and is currently still assigned.