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.
The Silent Thunder Order (STO, inc. 2011) is comprised of disciples and priests trained under our Abbot Zenkai Taiun Elliston Roshi and Guiding Teachers in the STO/Mokurai tradition established by Matsuoka Roshi. The Atlanta Soto Zen Center (ASZC, inc. 1977) constitutes our Training Center and Headquarters. Both exist to support the needs of our Practice Leaders, and to serve their communities (sangha’s), a network of independent Affiliated Zen groups and centers.
Please mark your calendars. We look forward to gathering with you for this annual retreat. It represents a precious opportunity, not to be missed, to support each other and revitalize our Zen practice. Please contact Zenku at Jerry.Smyers@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Registration for the retreat will begin in August with an additional announcement. Please join for the STO Fall Retreat and join us for zazen, engaging in dialogue with members of our thirteen affiliate sangha’s, as well as listening to, and deepening our understanding of, the Dharma.
Location: The retreat will be held in-person at our ASZC Training Center, and streamed virtually via Zoom:
Atlanta Soto Zen Center
1167 Zonolite Place NE
Atlanta GA 30306
