Kojin-an Zendo
Oakland, California

The owners were given this zendo [temple] from Japan and planned to build it at their home. The zendo is an exquisite example of a small country meditation hall that seats 24 students. The task was to build it using a simple drawing of the floor plan and an elevation of the front.    Nothing was changed in the overall look of the building, but the wall and roof structure were altered in order to pass code.

 

The zendo or “meditation hall” is also used as a Buddha hall for chanting and prostrations. When it’s time for the space to be a Buddha hall, the curtain behind the Monjushri altar is raised and another Buddha altar is exposed. Finding space for multiple uses is a common problem in zen centers in the United States.

The raised tans in the zendo have a large timber in the front that is used to lay out eating bowls during seshin.  The cabinet at the back is for storage of robes and bedding used when sleeping in the zendo.