Membership ranks within Soto Zen North America

Membership ranks are not a means of evaluating performance, effectiveness, personal worth or value to Soto Zen N. A., but a system of leadership development designed to ensure that the organization has an identified and stable group of members who can help and support others to continue their development as leaders within the Soto Zen tradition—the ultimate outcome being the preservation and transmission of the practice and teachings in an authentic way.  Rank is not a reward for time served or for meritorious contributions to the field.  Instead, rank equals responsibility.

Through admission standards, we ask members to meet a minimum of training; through the rank system, we ask them to put that training into practice in their respective communities, and to maintain ties with a group of people with similar training and vision.

Kyoshi

​Qualifications:
  • completed and registered shukke tokudo, two 90-day angos at an
  • authorized training temple, risshin, shiho, ten-e and zuise according to the regulations of ASZB/Soto Zen N. A. 

Leadership:
  • following attendance at second general meeting, can begin to serve on Soto Zen N. A. committees
    ​
Term: indefinite
Apply for membership here.

Senior Kyoshi

Qualifications:
  • has been an active ASZB/Soto Zen N. A. kyoshi for at least five years
  • has attended at least three general meetings

Leadership:
  • can vote for and serve on Denominational Council
  • can serve on the board of directors and its committees

Term: indefinite

Supervising Kyoshi

Qualifications:
  • has served Soto Zen N. A. as a senior kyoshi for a minimum of five years and regularly attended Soto Zen N. A.  meetings and workshops
  • can demonstrate accomplishments, training, positions of leadership at a temple, service in Soto Zen N. A., education, and other relevant experiences and activities

Leadership:
  • is willing to serve a department/committee role, potentially including a seat on the Denominational Council
  • is willing to serve in a stewardship role within Soto Zen N. A. toward cultivation of novices, kyoshi and senior kyoshi

Term:
Five years, with the opportunity to extend with an application for renewal and review of roles and activities served
Apply for the rank
of ​supervising kyoshi
by October 1, 2024 using
​the form below.
Supervising kyoshi application
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