Realizing Genjokoan - The Key to Dogen's Shobogenzo (OKUMURA, Shohaku)

Shohaku Okumura was born in Osaka, Japan in 1948. He is an ordained priest and Dharma succesor of Kosho Uchiyama Roshi in the lineage of Kodo Sawaki Roshi. He is a graduate of Komazawa University and has practiced at Antaiji with Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, Zuioji with Narasaki Ikko Roshi in Japan, and Pioneer Valley Zendo in Massachusetts. He taught at Kyoto Soto Zen Center in Japan and Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis. He was the director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center (previously called Soto Zen Education Center) in San Francisco from 1997 to 2010.His previously published books of translation include Dogen’s Extensive Record: A Translation of the Eihei Koroku; Shikantaza: An Introduction to Zazen; Shobogenzo Zuimonki: Sayings of Eihei Dogen Zenji; Heart of Zen: Practice without Gaining-mind (previously titled Dogen Zen); Zen Teachings of “Homeless” Kodo; Opening the Hand of Thought; The Whole Hearted Way: A Translation of Eihei Dogen’s Bendowa with Commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi; and Dogen's Pure Standards for the Zen Community: A Translation of Eihei Shingi. Okumura is also the editor of Dogen Zen and Its Relevance for Our Time; Soto Zen: An Introduction to Zazen; and Nothing is Hidden: Essays on Zen Master Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook.He is the founding teacher of the Sanshin Zen Commuinity, based in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives with his family.