Daihonzan Chozen-ji

Daihonzan Chozen-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kalihi Valley offering meditation spaces and training facilities for spiritual practice. The grounds include areas for martial arts, archery, ceramics, and calligraphy alongside its core meditation programs.

The temple was founded in 1972 by Omori Sogen and Tenshin Tanouye and received recognition as the first Rinzai headquarters outside Japan in 1979. This establishment marked a turning point for bringing traditional Japanese Zen practice to the Western world.

The temple brings together Japanese spiritual traditions with practices like archery, ceramics, and calligraphy, creating a space where visitors can experience Zen methods adapted to a Western setting. This blend shows how the tradition has taken root in Hawaii and evolved beyond its original form.

Visitors can join daily zazen meditation sessions, martial arts classes, and specialized training programs offered throughout the year. It helps to check ahead for session times, as these are regularly scheduled but vary depending on the program.

The center received grants to develop Zen and boxing programs that merge meditation with combat sports, guided by accomplished athletes. This unusual pairing demonstrates how traditional Zen methods can be applied within modern athletic settings.