Rinzai Zen teachers trace their lineage back to Shakyamuni Buddha, but our school acquired its distinctive characteristics from master Linji Yixuan ("Rinzai Gigen" in Japanese), a ninth-century Chinese teacher known for his dynamic, iconoclastic style. It was transmitted to Japan by Nanpo Shomyo (also known as Daio Kokushi, 1235-1309), then passed down to the present by individuals who all contributed to the style of the school. Notable among these was Hakuin Ekaku, an enormously influential 18th-century Zen master who revitalized the Rinzai school in Japan. Eventually, our lineage passed through Omori Sogen in the 20th century, who was instrumental in bringing it to the Americas.
Daiyuzenji was established in 2002 as an autonomous Rinzai Zen temple by Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, dharma heir of Omori Sogen Roshi, but the seeds of this community and the transmission to the US mainland of this lineage were sown decades earlier.
In 1977, in Chicago, the Aikido master and lay Zen teacher Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji invited Tenshin Tanouye Roshi, head of Chozen-ji temple in Hawaii, to lead sesshins (Extensive meditation retreats) in Chicago. In 1987, that training continued under Hosokawa Roshi's guidance when he became Chozen-ji's abbot. Students from the Chicago group studied under Hosokawa Roshi during his many trips to the US mainland; many also made trips to train at Chozen-ji. Members of the Chicago community were ordained and eventually given the recognition of inka shomei ("mind-stamp"), which authorizes the holder to use and transmit all aspects of our tradition, including koan practice. With this, Daiyuzenji was permitted to offer the full range of monastic Rinzai training in Chicago. Daiyuzenji honors the legacy and sacrifices of these teachers by upholding and promoting their unique approach to Zen training in the Midwest today.
Omori Sogen
Omori Sogen was one of the 20th century's foremost Rinzai Zen masters, and our programming at Daiyuzenji includes everything he selected from his areas of expertise, which he found particularly beneficial for cultivating Zen students. The koan curriculum, zazen, the hojo kata (sword forms), shodo (calligraphy), chanting, and an emphasis on the breath, use of the body, and physical training are informed by his threefold emphasis on fine arts, martial arts, and Zen.
His motto, "Zen, ken, sho" or "Zen, sword, brush," perfectly encapsulates the embodied style of Rinzai Zen we offer in Chicago today under the leadership of Tesshin Brand Roshi, 86th dharma heir in our lineage.
Dogen Hosokawa
Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, a dharma heir of Omori Roshi who underwent training in Japan before settling in Hawaii, upheld and extended the mission of propagating Zen teachings in the Western world.
From 1987 to his retirement in 2005, he dedicated himself to extensive travels across the mainland USA, imparting teachings and guiding sesshin. Concurrently, he served as the second abbot of Chozenji following Tanouye Roshi's passing. Besides being a proficient calligrapher and writer, he translated Omori Roshi's renowned work "Sanzen Nyumon" into English (published as "An Introduction to Zen Training") and authored a biography titled "Omori Sogen: The Art of a Zen Master."
Presently, Hosokawa Roshi remains actively involved in advising his dharma successors and nurturing his students.
So’zan Miller
So'zan Miller Roshi trained under Toyoda Rokoji, Tanouye Roshi, and Hosokawa Roshi, ordaining in 1993. Following Toyoda Rokoji's passing, he helped establish a new facility on Chicago's North Side in 2002 to house the organization, thus ensuring the continuity of training. In 2003 he was named one of Hosokawa Roshi's dharma heirs. In 2005, Hosokawa Roshi designated the Chicago location as a fully independent Zen temple, Sokeizan Daiyuzenji, and appointed Miller Roshi as the first abbot. Miller Roshi retired in 2022, but remains engaged with the community by advising his successors and former students, participating in our book study group and occasionally making visits to Daiyuzenji to teach.
Tesshin Hozan (Brand), Abbot
Tesshin Brand Roshi (Tesshin Hozan) is the current Abbot (shike) of Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple in Chicago. Tesshin began formal Zen training in 1990 under Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, former Abbot of Daihonzan Chozen-ji and primary Dharma heir of Omori Sogen Roshi. He continued under So'zan Miller Roshi, Hosokawa Roshi's heir and former Abbot of Daiyuzenji. Tesshin Roshi trained extensively in Hojo (a set of kata of the Jiki-shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship) under So’zan Miller Roshi and Gerald Yamamoto, a direct student of Omori Roshi.
Tesshin Roshi was ordained in 2007 and in 2014 received inka shomei (mind seal) from So'zan Miller Roshi, acknowledging him as the 86th Dharma successor.
The following chart illustrates the lineage of Zen passed down to the Western world by Omori Sogen Roshi and upheld by the current abbot of Daiyuzenji.
BIBASHI BUTSU (Vipashyin Buddha)
SHIKI BUTSU (Shikhin Buddha)
BISHAHU BUTSU (Vishvabhû Buddha)
KUROSON BUTSU (Krakucchanda Buddha)
KUNAGONMUNI BUTSU (Kanakamuni Buddha)
KASHO BUTSU (Kâshyapa Buddha)
SHAKAMUNI BUTSU (Shakyamuni Buddha, ca. 490~410 BCE)
In India
Makakasho Sonja (Mahâkâshyapa)
Anan Sonja (Ananda)
Shonawashu Sonja (Shanavâsa)
Ubakikuta Sonja (Upagupta)
Daitaka Sonja (Dhritaka)
Mishaka Sonja (Miccaka)
Basumitsu Sonja (Vasumitra)
Buddanandai Sonja (Buddhanandi)
Hakudamitta Sonja (Buddhamitra)
Kyo Sonja (Pârshva)
Hunayasha Sonja (Punyayashas)
Memyo Sonja (Ashvaghosha)
Kabimora Sonja (Kapimala)
Ryujyu Sonja (Nâgârjuna)
Kanadaiba Sonja (Kânadeva)
Ragorata Sonja (Râhulata)
Sogyanandai Sonja (Sanghânandi)
Kayashata Sonja (Gayashâta)
Kumorata Sonja (Kumârata)
Shayata Sonja (Jayata)
Basubanzu Sonja (Vasubandhu)
Manura Sonja (Manorhita)
Kakurokuna Sonja (Haklenayashas)
Shishi Sonja (Simha Bhikshu)
Bashashita Sonja (Basiasita)
Hunyomitta Sonja (Punyamitra)
Hannyatara Sonja (Prajnatara)
Transmission to China
Bodai Daruma Daishi (Bodhidharma, early 5th cen. CE)
Niso Eka Daishi (T’a-tsu Hui-k’o, (487~593)
Sanso Kanchi Zenji (Chien-Chih Seng-ts’an, (?~606)
Doshin Daii Zenji (Ta-i Tao-hsin, 580~651)
Gunin Daiman Zenji (Ta-man Hung-jen, 601~674)
Eno Daikan Zenji (Ta-chien Hui-neng, 638~713)
Nangaku Ejyo Zenji (Nan-yueh Huai-jang, 677~744)
Baso Doitsu Zenji (Ma-tzu Tao-i, 709~788)
Hyakujyo Ekai Zenji (Pai-chang Huai-hai, 720~814)
Obaku Kiun Zenji (Huang-po Hsi-hun, ?~850)
Rinzai Gigen Zenji (Lin-chi I-hsüan, ?~866) [*Rinzai School]
Koke Sonsho Zenji (Hsing-hua Ts'ung-chiang, 830~888)
Nanin E-gyo Zenji (Nan-yüan Hui-yung, ?~930)
Fuketsu Ensho Zenji (Fen-hsueh Yen-chao, 896~973)
Shuzan Seinen Zenji (Shou-shan Hsing-nien, 926~993)
Funnyo Zensho Zenji (Fen-yang Shan-chao, 947~1024)
Sekiso Soen Zenji (Shih-shung Ch'u-yuan, 986~1039)
Yogi Hoe Zenji (Yang-ch'i Fang-hui, 992~1049)
Hakuun Shutan Zenji (Po-yun Shou-tuan, 1025~1072)
Goso Hoen Zenji (Wu-tsu Fa-yen, 1024~1104)
Engo Kokugon Zenji (Yuan-wu Ko-ch'in, 1063~1135)
Kukyu Shoryu Zenji (Hu-ch'iu Shao-lung, 1077~1136)
Oan Donge Zenji (Ying-an T'an-hua, 1103~1186)
Mittan Kanketsu Zenji (Mi-an Hsien-chieh, 1118~1186)
Shogen Sogaku Zenji (Sung-yuan Ch'ung-yo, 1139~1209)
Unnan Fugan Zenji (Yu-an P'uyen, 1156~1226)
Kido Chigu Zenji (Hsu-t'ang Chih-yu, 1185~1269)
Transmission to Japan
Nanpo Shomyo Zenji (1235~1309)
Shuho Myocho Zenji (1282~1338)
Kanzan Egen Zenji (1277~1360)
Jyuo Soshitsu Zenji (1296~1386)
Muin Soin Zenji (1326~1410)
Nippo Soshun Zenji (1368~1448)
Giten Gensho Zenji (1393~1462)
Sekko Soshin Zenji (1408~1486)
Toyo Eicho Zenji (1429~1504)
Taiga Tankyo Zenji (? ~1518)
Koho Genkun Zenji (? ~1524)
Sensho Zuisho Zenji (?~?)
Ian Chisatsu Zenji (1514~1587)
Tozen Soshin Zenji (1532~1602)
Yozan Keiyo Zenji (?~?)
Gudo Toshoku Zenji (1579~1661)
Shido Bunan Zenji (1603~1676)
Dokyo E-tan Zenji (1642~1721)
Hakuin E-kaku Zenji (1685~1768)
Gasan Jito Zenji (1727~1797)
Inzan Itan Zenji (1751~1814)
Taigen Shigen Zenji (1768~1837)
Gisan Zenrai Zenji (1801~1878)
Tekisui Giboku Zenji (1822~1899)
Ryoen Genseki Zenji (1843~1919)
Seisetsu Genjyo Zenji (1877~1945)
Bokuo Soun Zenji (1903~1991)
Tekio Sogen Zenji (1904~1994)
Transmission to the West
Following Tekio Sogen (Omori) Roshi, the lineage transmission extends through the following present-day teachers: from Kizan Dogen (Hosokawa) Roshi to So'zan Daitetsu (Miller) Roshi, and finally to Tesshin Brand Roshi (Tesshin Hozan), who serves as the Abbot (shike) of Daiyuzenji.