Shinnyo-en in the United States
Welcome to
Shinnyo-en
For people balancing spiritual practice with work and family,
Shinnyo-en offers a place to learn and practice together.
About Shinnyo-en
A family’s decision
in 1936
Shinso ItoHead of Shinnyo-en
Before he became a Buddhist teacher, Shinjo Ito was an aircraft engineer. In 1936, he and his wife Tomoji chose to devote their lives to helping the people who came to them for spiritual advice.
The community that grew around them became Shinnyo-en. Shinjo’s training at Kyoto’s Daigoji monastery gave it roots in Shingon Buddhism. He and Tomoji shaped those teachings into a path people could follow alongside family responsibilities and a working life.
Since 1989, their daughter Shinso Ito has led the community as Head of Shinnyo-en.
Belief and practice
What happens
beyond the temple
Shinnyo-en teaches that every person has buddha nature: the potential to awaken to wisdom and compassion. Recognizing that potential in someone we find difficult can take more effort than agreeing with it in principle.
In formal sesshin meditation, a practitioner receives guidance from a qualified spiritual guide, then considers how to act on it in familiar situations. A difficult conversation at home may be the place to start.
In the United States, members gather at temples and centers from Hawaiʻi to New York. Alongside temple activities, there are opportunities to volunteer locally and take part in service projects. The Shinnyo-en Foundation supports youth programs and partnerships with schools and community organizations.