AMERICAN ZEN PIONEER

Celebrating Kongo Langlois Roshi 

Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago
Abbot from 1971 to 1999

The Genjo Koan, the ultimate koan which we all face, is “What is life all about?” and the ultimate answer is “Look inside!”— Kongo Roshi

“You think that you are practicing Zazen (Zen meditation), but actually Zazen is practicing you.”— Kongo Roshi 

2026 marks the 15th anniversary of our annual retreat!  Everyone is welcome to attend online, as well as in person.  ASZC will be the host site for this retreat.  It will begin on October 14 at 6pm ET and end on October 18 at noon.  Please take this yearly opportunity to join with other members of our far-flung Affiliates and members at large, in retreat.

This year we will focus on the Wisdom, and Teachings of Kongo Langlois Roshi, former Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago and the first Transmitted Priest in our American Soyu Matsuoka Soto Zen Lineage.  We will hear from a variety of speakers, some who had the good fortune to actually meet and practice with Kongo Roshi in person.  Our speakers will share his teachings and personal anecdotes of his direct, clear and compassionate spirit.

For more information on Kongo Roshi and access to his talks, please go to the Lineage page of the STO website.

Contact Zenku at email Jerry.Smyers@gmail.com or text/call at (847) 721-0665 for further information.

Everyone is Welcome.

We look forward to gathering with you for this annual retreat. It represents a precious opportunity, not to be missed, to revitalize your own Zen practice.

Please join us for zazen, engaging in dialog with members of our thirteen affiliate sanghas, as well as listening to, and deepening our understanding of, the Dharma. Please watch for future notices of more details on speakers.

Location:

The retreat will be held in-person at our Training Center, and streamed virtually via Zoom: The Zoom link will be shared upon registration.

Atlanta Soto Zen Center

1167 Zonolite Place NE

Atlanta GA 30306