The Zen hermitage follows the tradition of Soto Zen, founded by Zen master Dogen Zenji (1200-1253). From Gotama Shakyamuni (“Buddha,” probably 553-498 BC) to Dogen Zenji, the essence of zazen was passed down through the centuries and across many countries.
Sawaki Kodo (1880-1965) was arguably the most important Zen master of the 20th century, who led the degenerate Zen of his time back to its roots—the practice of zazen without expectation of gain. Sawaki Roshi, nicknamed the “homeless Kodo,” traveled tirelessly throughout Japan to lead sesshin (intensive weeks of zazen practice) in many parts of the country, thus spreading the zazen practice again and making it accessible, especially to laypeople. In 1962, Sawaki, weakened in his legs, settled permanently at Antai-ji, where his student Kosho Uchiyama cared for him until his death in December 1965. Instead of the usual elaborate funeral ceremonies, Uchiyama decided to hold a 49-day memorial sesshin for his master after Sawaki’s death. In this way, he emphasized Sawaki’s insistence on the importance of zazen, which cannot and must not be replaced by ceremonies and rituals.
Kosho Uchiyama (1912-1998) was ordained a monk by Sawaki Kodo Roshi in 1941 and cared for his master and the Antai-ji monastery until his death. After Sawaki’s death, Uchiyama succeeded him as abbot of Antai-ji, and many students gathered around him. At the same time, Uchiyama laid the foundation for the new sesshin style at Antaiji: sesshin consisting solely of zazen—without lectures, kusen, kyōsaku, or samu. He also became known for his many books, some of which were translated into German. In 1975, he retired from Antaiji and lived with his wife at Noke-in, a small temple in southern Kyoto, where he died on March 13, 1998.
Shōhaku Okumura was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1948. He received his education at Komazawa University in Tokyo, Japan. On December 8, 1970, Okumura was ordained a priest by his teacher, Kōshō Uchiyama, at Antaiji, where he practiced until Uchiyama retired in 1975. He then traveled to the USA, where he co-founded the Valley Zendo in Massachusetts and continued Uchiyama’s zazen style there until 1981. That year, he returned to Japan and began translating the writings of Uchiyama and Eihei Dōgen from Japanese into English. Before founding the Sanshin Zen Community in 1996, he taught at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at the Kyoto Sōtō Zen Center from 1993 to 1996. He now lives with his family in Sanshinji (USA). He is considered the most important translator, expert, and commentator of the writings of Dogen Zenji and works tirelessly to spread his teachings in the West. In 2018, Gyoriki became a student of Okamura Roshi.
In 2023, Gyoriki received Dharma Transmission, meaning he became one of his official successors. This was attested by the Japanese Soto-shu in 2024. Volker Gyoriki Herskamp has been practicing Soto Zen since 1990 and teaching since 1998. Gyoriki became a student of Okamura Roshi in 2018. In 2023, Gyoriki received Dharma transmission, becoming one of his official successors. This was attested by the Japanese Soto-shu in 2024.