Norway
The establishment of Soto Zen Buddhism in Norway
Archbishop Itabashi Zenji and reverend Sozen at Sojiji monastery, Japan 2001
The Soto Zen Buddhist tradition was introduced to Norway by Sozen Larsen, a Norwegian who spent 13 years in Japan. Having a degree in educational science he taught English conversation at a private senior high school for many years whilst studying zenbuddhism as a layperson at Sojiji monastery.
In July 1998 he entered the monk hood at Daihonzan Soji-ji monastery and received ordination by the Abbot and Archbishop, the Honorable Itabashi Koshu Zenji. The Norwegian monk received the Buddhist name Kanun Sozen.
He successfully completed the required training at Daihonzan Soji-ji and Saiyu-ji monastery. In addition concluded externship at Sosan-ji and Saifuku-ji temple. He received transmission by Itabashi Zenji on May 1. 2001 at Daihonzan Soji-ji, followed by priest ordination at: Daihonzan Soji-ji on July 27. 2001 and Daihonzan Eihei-ji on August 5. 2001.
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Just sitting
without thinking
is
not possible
without thinking
just sitting.
poem by 
Sozen
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Reverend Sozen Osho officially received license of priesthood by: The Soto Zen Buddhism, department of education, on November 6. 2001, and further appointed to position of Kaikyoshi (Missionary) on December 17. the same year.
The Norwegian Sotozen Buddhist Order
Monks and nuns at Bugakuji Zen Temple in Kristiansand - Norway
The Norwegian Sotozen Buddhist Order was founded in 2001 by two Norwegian monks, Reverend Sozen Larsen Kusano and brother Doshu Malja. In 2002 the denomination was officially registered with the Norwegian government. Reverend Såzen Osho received license to marry, by the Department of Church and Cultural Affairs, the same year.
Establishing a monastery in the southern part of Norway.
In January 2005 The Norwegian Sotozen Foundation (a registered non profitable organization) was established under the following objective: To establish and operate a monastic practice, support the education of monks and nuns and further education of priests. The Foundation will support and promote activities aimed at better realizing that issues of peace, human rights and the environment are common to all humanity.
Bugaku Zen Temple is a small temple, currently housing the practice of four monks and supported by members from 15 counties across the nation.
Efforts are made to find a bigger and more suitable house or location for building the first zenbuddhist monastery in Norway.
The organization has 1,700,000 Nkr at disposal. We are looking to buy a suitable property.
For more information please contact:
The Norwegian Sotozen Buddhist Order
Po.box 794, 4666 Kristiansand, Norway
e-mail: sozen@online.no
