2026 STO/ASZC Annual Fall Retreat
Celebrating Kongo Langlois Roshi
Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago
Abbot from 1971 to 1999
Our STO/ASZC Fall Retreat is from October 14 (6pm ET) to October 18 (Noon).
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.
For more information on Kongo Roshi and access to his talks, please go to the Lineage page of the STO website.
Contact Zenku at email [email protected] or text/call at (847) 721-0665 for further information.
Everyone is Welcome.
The Silent Thunder Order (STO, Inc. 2011) is comprised of disciples and priests trained under our guiding teacher, Zenkai Taiun Elliston Roshi, 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 (sanghas), a network of independent Affiliated Zen groups and centers.
We look forward to gathering with you for this annual retreat. It represents a precious opportunity, not to be missed, to revitalize your own Zen practice.
Please join us for zazen, engaging in dialog with members of our thirteen affiliate sanghas, as well as listening to, and deepening our understanding of, the Dharma. Please watch for future notices of more details on speakers.
Click here for our Daily schedule and Speaker Roster
Suggested Fees: We invite all of you wishing to deepen your practice to join us, regardless of your ability to pay. if you are a student or are under other financial constraints, pay only what you can afford, or just join us, via this registration. Our suggested fees, and to help us keep the Dharma available for all, are $75 per day or $250 for the entire retreat (Wednesday night through Sunday noon). Fees are also waived for certain in-kind donations, please inquire. You are welcome to attend all or any part or all of the retreat. Deep bows.
Contact Zenku at email [email protected] or text/call at (847) 721-0665 for further information.
Join us via Zoom or in person at one of our many STO affiliates.
