Vision

SokukoJi means “Temple of Immediate Light”.  We are under the guidance of our head teacher Kyoun Sokuzan Bob Brown.  Beginning as a Dharma Study Group in 1975 and becoming SokukoJi in 2007, we were originally inspired by the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and scholar.  We now follow the lead and example of Kobun Chino Roshi who traveled to the U.S and Europe from Japan in the 1960s upon the invitation of Suzuki Roshi.  Sokuzan met Kobun in 1990.

As a spiritual meditation community, we wish to support the larger community in which we live. This includes working with people in drug rehab environments, volunteer work in MDOC prisons, and working to extend our energy and support to people wherever it is needed regardless of  their backgrounds or religious affiliations. We are engaged in building additional social and educational programs which will assist those in our community to live in harmony through mutual respect, appreciation and cooperation.

Mission

We wish to create and maintain a space for people to practice meditation, and study the Buddhist teachings. We:

• Conduct weekly meditation and study periods
• Facilitate group retreats
• Host seminars on meditation and the arts
• Hold traditional Soto Zen style sesshins
• Host and facilitate an annual Ango meditation retreat practice.

Furthermore, we will continue to guide, support, and encourage people to deepen their spiritual practice through individual daily practice, monthly all-day retreats, and longer solitary meditation retreats, so that everyone can see the basic goodness of their true nature.

SokukoJi Buddhist Community is a 501(c)(3) orgaanization incorporated in the state of Michigan.