Messages from The Board by Colbert Matsumoto, Vernon Char, and Michael Kangen
Four years ago there was one person signed up to do the summer sesshin. The most recent sesshin had 19 participants. This is a great indicator of the change that has happened over the last four years. We’ve had 60 people live in for at least three weeks; several hundred people come for programs; and we’ve had thousands of people through the gates for our art shows, classes, and events.
Numbers are not the only metric that matter. It is critical that the kiai of Chozen-ji is maintained. It has been invaluable during this time that many of the old-time members have helped guide the training and teach the new students. Our Kendo class continues to be led by 7th dan Teshima Sensei and because of our ability to have folks live here and quarantine together our Kendo class was the only class on the island that continued throughout the entire pandemic.
After Tanouye Roshi passed away in 2003, Chozen-ji Archbishop Richard Lim wrote that the Dojo needed to adopt a strategy of “the many will replace the one”. This approach has come to life as the Dojo community of teachers, senior students, and beginners keep the spirit of this place alive and continue to adapt to our changing times. As the community has grown, several times over in the last few years we have run out of bathrooms and sleeping quarters—especially during the pandemic with its required quarantines. Our answer to this challenge is to create more housing on the property the Dojo owns at 3570 Kalihi Street to facilitate continuing training and an increase in programming.
It is a great moment to rally energy for the next generation of people committing their lives to training in Chozen-ji’s unique approach to Zen. My commitment is to continue to do everything I can to make sure that another generation of students has the same opportunity to train in Zen that I did 18 years ago.
Michael Kangen is an architect and developer. He serves as the president of the board and Head Priest of Chozen-ji.
After completing law school when I was 25, I entered Chozen-ji as a live-in trainee. It was during that time that I underwent the most intense period of training in my life. My days were filled with a rigorous routine from pre-dawn hours to late evening engaged in zazen, sutra chanting, martial arts training, manual labor, and humbling household chores such as cleaning toilets.
The training was not just physically exhausting but mentally taxing, as my 20 years of traditional education were of little help in achieving a frame of mind the training was pointing me toward. The experience was transformational for me. It enabled me to pivot to an alternate career path based upon a newfound perspective that I gained. I exited being a live-in after six months but I continued my training thereafter. My life continues to be profoundly affected by the insights I gained through many years of training at Chozen-ji.
Looking back, I especially appreciate the value and benefit of my live-in training over 40 years ago. That is why I am enthusiastically committed to supporting the capital campaign for the development of improved residential facilities to enable more individuals to benefit from such training.
I hope others familiar with Chozen-ji’s unique approach to Zen training and personal development will also support the capital campaign.
Colbert Matsumoto is the Chairman of Island Holdings, Inc., one of Hawaii’s leading companies and has played an active role in civic and community affairs throughout his career.
I came to Daihonzan Chozen-ji in 2003 at the invitation of Abbot Mike Sayama. I was then approaching 70 years of age, a new stage in life departing from a period of acquiring and achieving to a time for contemplation and aging.
Zazen, Kendo, Hojo, Shodo, and Kado are the Ways I have trained in with guidance by Mike Sayama, Tom Fujikawa and Norma Wong. To this day, Chozen-ji remains a place and time for my self-discovery and learning. Recently, I have been happy to see many new people also experiencing the spiritual depth and joy I've found here.
I support the new extension of buildings for use by myself and many new and current members and to enable continued learning. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the new buildings and thereby enhance my participation at Chozen-ji.
Vernon F. L. Char is a practicing attorney. He has led professional, community, and private organizations, as well as serving on the State Ethics Commission, Hawaii Tourist Authority, and Board of Land and Natural Resources.