January, 2026 -- Vol. 6, Winter quarter

Year in Review

Milestones and accomplishments 
of 2025

• Changed the pre-existing list of directors from ASZB that had been filed with the state of California during the incorporation process to the actual list of functioning directors.
  
• Clarified the path to legal status as a denomination.

• Established nonprofit corporate checking account at Bank of America and deposited initial donations from members; balance now stands at $3700.

• Finalized description of the rank of Supervising Kyoshi, began accepting applications from the membership, and appointed nine.

• Held election among the membership for the first Denominational Council, which began meeting monthly.

• Finalized and adopted bylaws.

• Produced two e-newsletters as well as remaining in contact with members via listserv and direct email.

• Updated website with Departures page for deceased members as well as current information about the organization as it was finalized. 

• Held joint meeting with the Board of Directors of the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists to establish a strong working relationship.

• Denominational Council formed a nominating committee to fill the position of Guiding Kyoshi and proposed three candidates; the council interviewed the two who were willing to go forward and ultimately appointed Koun Franz.

• On accepting the position of Guiding Kyoshi, Koun stepped down as board president but remained a director; Hoko Karnegis was appointed president.

• Developed and adopted a mission statement and initial objectives.

• Presented status report at annual Sotoshu conference at Zenshuji in October and conducted an election to replace Gyokei Yokoyama on the board; Doshin Johnson was elected.

• Directors agreed to staggered terms such that only one or two directors would be new to the board at any given time.

• Board of Directors and Denominational Council held their first joint meeting to clarify their relationships and discuss work priorities.

• Denominational Council began work to finalize an ethics policy for the organization as well as regulations for priests, temples, training and vestments.

• Began construction of records infrastructure such that Soto Zen NA can collect and maintain membership information and incorporate member records shared by Sotoshu.

• Proposed production of a book of teachings as part of Sotoshu’s events recognizing the 750 memorial of Koun Ejo, with chapters to be contributed by supervising kyoshi in response to translation of Komyozo Zammai and commentary by Shohaku Okumura.

From the Guiding Kyoshi 
Koun Franz

My teacher lives in rural Japan, inside the caldera of a volcano. His temple, Ganzouji, is the only Soto Zen temple in his tiny town. But even there, in his remote part of Japan, multiple priests are just a phone call and maybe 30 minutes away. In Japanese cities, the nearest temple might be a two-minute walk. So it’s always possible to reach out, get support, ask for a hand. Connection is built in.

Here in Halifax, I’m a country and hundreds of miles from any of you. And I feel it. So it was a pleasure—as it always is—to meet so many of you at Zenshuji in October. We are bound by so much in this practice; I feel so much connection when we’re in the same room. It is my hope that through Soto Zen NA, we can close the distance—not physically, but through a deeper sense of upholding this tradition together, as one group.

Our mission is “To cultivate a North American Soto Zen denomination that stewards the lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha, as transmitted through Dogen Zenji and Keizan Zenji, with shared purpose, mutual responsibility, and a commitment to ongoing connection with our roots in Japan.” Right now, the work of the Board and the Denominational Council is to build the actual structures of that denomination. It’s the top-down part, and it’s a huge task. We look at tax compliance, priest regulations, fundraising, conferences, ethics policies, bylaws—the parts that take planning and research and an eye toward the future. We’re making something stable, recognizable, and trustworthy. I’m grateful every day that the Council and the Board have taken all this on, and that they navigate it with such wisdom and skill.

But on a more basic level, cultivating a denomination is something we can all do together, and we can do it from today. To that end, here at Sensouji, I’m trying to do three things more intentionally: First, I’m referencing Soto Zen NA and looking for opportunities to explore with our members what it means to be part of a denomination. Next, I’m reminding myself to contextualize whatever dharma point I’m discussing both in the greater tradition of Soto Zen and in our particular history. Last, I’m actively exploring how our little temple can connect with other temples and practitioners in North America—through inviting other kyoshi, collaborating on online offerings, and so on. These are the parts we can do from the ground up—they’re what bring meaning and life to the structural work.


I wish you all the best as we enter a new year. May we find, in 2026, that we’re all just a bit closer together.

Deshi registration now open



Soto Zen North America kyoshi are invited to register their deshi with the developing denomination so that they can be included in our communications and activities. We're beginning with deshi already registered with and recognized by Sotoshu. Registering non-recognized deshi will require a few more steps, and you'll be invited to register them when that infrastructure is in place.

While Soto Zen NA does not have registration or membership fees in place at this time, please note that in future we will be asking for such financial support.

The roadmap to becoming a denomination

Treasurer Kotoku Crivello has put together a comprehensive roadmap of the steps required for Soto Zen North America's IRS reclassification from a private foundation to a legally recognized denomination. The process takes five years, during which we will need to demonstrate operational consistency and financial stability. Read the entire roadmap document here on our website.