Rev. Shumyo Kojima (Soto Zen) and Ven. Hui Ze Shih (Linji Chan)
LOS ANGELES - The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles will host Heart Sutra Recitation in Two Traditions, a public workshop introducing the practice of sutra recitation through the Japanese Soto Zen and Taiwanese Linji Chan traditions, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Murasaki Hall of the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (5700 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90036).
Admission is free with advance registration. Please register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/j6gkhvd
Led by Reverend Shumyo Kojima of Zenshuji Soto Mission (Little Tokyo) and Venerable Hui Ze Shih of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple (Hacienda Heights), the workshop will introduce participants to the Heart Sutra, offer context for its role in Buddhist practice, and provide guided instruction in recitation methods from both traditions.
An essential text in Mahayana Buddhism, the Heart Sutra is voiced by Avalokitesvara (J: Kannon; C: Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and emphasizes insight beyond fixed conceptual frameworks. Its brevity has made it one of the most widely chanted sutras across Buddhist communities.
Participants will explore the nuances of Japanese Soto Zen and Taiwanese Linji Chan approaches to the Heart Sutra and learn how each tradition understands and performs chanting in practice.
About the Presenters
Reverend Shumyo Kojima (Soto Zen) — Zenshuji Soto Mission, Little Tokyo
Rev. Shumyo Kojima is a Soto Zen monk and head priest of Zenshuji Buddhist Temple, the oldest Soto Zen temple in North America. Raised in a temple family in Saga Prefecture, Japan, he studied Buddhist history and philosophy at Komazawa University and later worked with the Soto Institute for Buddhist Studies. He came to Los Angeles in 1993 to research American Zen and joined the staff at Zenshuji. After training at Eiheiji Monastery, he returned to Zenshuji as a full-time minister, where he has served for 30 years.
More information: Zenshuji Soto Mission website
Venerable Hui Ze Shih (Linji Chan) — Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights
Venerable Hui Ze is a Buddhist monastic from Hsi Lai Temple, a Fo Guang Shan branch temple in Southern California. Ordained in 2009 at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan, he received foundational training in Humanistic Buddhism and has since served at the order’s headquarters in Taiwan and at Thai Hua Temple in Bangkok, Thailand, with experience in monastic administration and international outreach. He currently oversees interfaith and community outreach programs at Hsi Lai Temple, fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse religious traditions. Reflecting the vision of Fo Guang Shan’s founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the temple promotes Humanistic Buddhism through mutual respect, cultural exchange, and compassionate engagement, including the guiding principle: “Find common ground in differences … and celebrate each other’s uniqueness.”
More information: Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple website
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