News and updates from the Tenpyozan building project.
The Signifcance of Tenpyozan: An Interview with Rev. Gengo Akiba - December 2018
by Margaret M. Russell

Our Editor recently had an opportunity to discuss with Rev. Gengo Akiba, Abbot of Tenpyozan, the importance of the Tenpyozan project at this point in the history of Soto Zen in North America.
Editor:  Let’s start with the most basic question. Why is it important to build Tenpyozan? What is its significance?

Rev. Akiba:   Tenpyozan will be the only place outside of Japan where Soto Zen priests can get the classical training they need to continue the practices and traditions of Soto Zen Buddhism. 

This is enormously significant in the almost 100 years of history of Soto Zen in North America. In 1922, the first Soto Zen temple was established in Los Angeles, and ten years later the San Francisco temple was founded, so the year 2022 will be the 100th anniversary of Soto Zen in North America. As our practice expanded internationally, the number of Zen priests outside of Japan has increased enormously: as of 2015 there were 851 Soto Zen priests working outside of Japan, and the number is probably close to 1,000 by now. Tenpyozan will be a place where international Soto Zen priests can further their training and deepen their practice.

As a training monastery for Zen priests, we will focus on what is necessary for ordained students ( un-sui ) to learn: academic study of literatures, including words of the Buddha and Ancestors; and traditional ceremonies and rituals. The buildings will be of the authentic Japanese architectural tradition for temples, with separate spaces for preparation of food, special ceremonies and rituals, and meditation and sleeping—conducive to comprehensive residential training for monks.

While we will focus mostly on providing specialized training for ordained priests, we will also welcome lay practitioners to experience living in an environment reflecting Zen teachings and values. Our Zendo (the Meditation Hall) at Tenpyozan, for example, will have an interior meditation space reserved for monks and an exterior meditation space for lay practitioners, so that we can all practice together. 
Editor:  Why is it important for all practitioners of Soto Zen Buddhism to have a place for priests’ classical training outside of Japan? 
Rev. Akiba:  I trained at traditional Zen temples until age 42, and I have worked outside of Japan for most of the past thirty years. I have lived and trained at facilities operated by the San Francisco Zen Center, including Tassajara, Green Gulch, and City Center. I am presently the North American bishop ( sokan ) for the Soto School of Zen Buddhism, and, as such, spend much time visiting various Zen centers in the United States. It has been wonderful to witness the growth of Buddhism in this country, in which Buddhism has not been a traditional part of spirituality. It is tremendously gratifying to see so many lay people practicing diligently and learning, as well.

But to be Zen priests—with professional training and regular practice—we are held to a higher standard; Soto Zen priests must be manifesting Buddhist principles in conduct and lifestyle, not just in study.  For example, I knew a Buddhist priest who practiced and studied diligently, but once I visited his private living quarter and found it to be chaotic and messy, possibly a reflection of his inner state. Tenpyozan will be a place to learn to live in a way that carries out Buddhist principles and fully integrates one’s inner beliefs with daily actions.

Opportunities for us to meditate and share activities with lay people are important, but I think it is essential to have a place for careful training in traditional priestly roles and responsibilities. For example, among the ceremonies that priests need to be able to perform are the ones paying respect to the Buddha; weddings; blessing of babies; funerals; and honoring the family.
Editor: Regarding lay practitioners and particularly beginners, is there a book or other resource you recommend for learning more about Buddhism?

Rev. Akiba:   One of my favorite books is the Dhammapada. It is basically collected sayings of the Buddha—and lessons for Buddhists. Here is my copy: see how worn it is? I read this all the time. It is a good book to refer to and contemplate. Some versions may include scholars’ commentary and in-depth discussion. Often, Buddhist teaching is called “the Way” and we are trying to follow the Way taught by the Buddha. The Dhammapada, for me, is the essence of the Way.

I also encourage people to visit Zen centers and temples to meditate, ask questions and experience Buddhism. Sometimes books don’t make a whole lot of sense without encountering teachers and other students and experiencing meditation for yourself.
Editor: Finally, how much is needed to complete Tenpyozan? How far along is the construction and what are the plans for 2019?
Rev. Akiba:  In 2018, we accomplished quite a lot. We have already completed floors and walls of the Zendo. We still need to install fire sprinklers, finish windows, and build meditation platforms ( tan ). We also partially rerouted and widened roads within the project site to allow larger construction vehicles to access it more easily.

This coming year we need to build a small bridge over a seasonal creek, and install a new five-ton water tank. A larger tank is needed to meet our future water uses and provide sufficient water pressure for the planned sprinkler system. We needed new roads to bring in the larger water tank and to install it.

We hope to start offering some training on a limited scale in the fall of 2019, by completing the Zendo and transforming builders’ cabins into living quarters for instructors and some monks. All this, of course, depends on whether we can raise enough funds to complete construction in time.

Tenpyozan is a multi-phase project. Our budget for the entire project, including the Buddha Hall, and auxiliary buildings, is ten to eleven million dollars. Our dream is to complete Tenpyozan by 2022, the 100th anniversary of Soto Zen Buddhism in North America. Soto Zen leaders in both Japan and in the United States are eagerly looking forward to Tenpyozan’s completion. There is already a list of forty-eight prospective students who are interested in training at Tenpyozan!

It will be a very significant event for us to open Tenpyozan fully in 2022. We would like to have an opening ceremony then, and to have an intensive training period ( sesshin ) perhaps one week prior to the ceremony, with many invited Zen teachers and students. 

I know that this will require a lot of fundraising, and I continue to meet with potential donors both in Japan and here to fulfill our dream. We are taking one step at a time, and we truly appreciate the generous support we receive for the future of Soto Zen Buddhism.
Please help Tenpyozan with your year-end donation
by Kei Matsuda, Board Treasurer
Rev. Akiba discusses the progress made this year at Tenpyozan in the preceding article—finished floors and walls in the Zendo (meditation hall), and wider roads for access to our project site by large construction vehicles, just to mention a few.

None of these achievements would have been possible without your contributions, so THANK YOU for your continued support of the Tenpyozan project in 2018!

Would you help us with year-end donations so that construction of the training monastery can continue in 2019?

Double your impact by donating before January 1, 2019

You may want to take advantage of an offer of matching fund from an anonymous donor— all donations made before January 1, 2019 are matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. Your donation of $50, for example, will mean a $100 receipt for Tenpyozan! Please help us receive the full amount of this matching fund as we did in 2017.

Two ways to donate

There are two easy ways to contribute to Tenpyozan: 1) Secure online donation through the website; and 2) By mailing a check.

The easiest and quickest way for most donors would be donation through our website, www.tenpyozan.org . First click on “Get Involved” and you will see a donation button. Our recently upgraded online donation platform is easy to use and secure.

Or, you can send a check to:

Tenpyozan
c/o Oakland Zen Center
6140 Chabot Road  
Oakland, CA 94618 USA

Tenpyozan is a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 30-0853001); donations are tax deductible.

Once again, we deeply appreciate your generous support in 2018. The Tenpyozan team wishes you and your loved ones a Happy New Year!
What is Tenpyozan?
Tenpyozan is an international Soto Zen training and retreat center being constructed 3 hours north of San Francisco, in Lake County, California, under the guidance of Rev. Gengo Akiba. Its mission is to support, encourage, and facilitate the international transmission of Soto Zen Buddhism by offering training for Soto Zen clergy and opportunities for formal practice, cultural and religious study, and community fellowship for both clergy and laity.

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There's a place for you at Tenpyozan!
Tenpyozan's activities are mainly carried out by volunteers, and we'd love to have your participation. You might work on the land, write articles for our newsletter, lend your carpentry skills, help raise money, or assist in other ways. For a current list of volunteer activities, please  contact us .