Shozenji Temple - Japan

Shozenji Temple - Japan

Shozenji Temple shelters Buddhist practices under the guidance of 65 year-old Soshuku Shibatani, the first transgender nun in Japan. Living authentically was lost when Shabatani's gender identity had to be hidden at work after graduating from college. Upon earning a doctorate, finding Buddhism, and surgically transitioning to female in 2010, Nun Shibatani resigned from her company, took up the study of Esoteric Buddhism, joined the priesthood, and initiated the building of the temple in 2017.

Daitokuzan Johoji Temple is the official name of this sacred space. The name was changed after Nun Shibatani's predecessor passed on to her the responsibility for this temple. Accepting the mantle bequeathed to her, Nun Shibatani nicknamed the place, Shozenji, a term that derives from the "seizensetsu" doctrine that declares all humans to be inherently good and capable of attaining enlightenment.

This safe space welcomes all based on the belief that gender distinction doesn't exist before the Buddha and on the principle that all people are equally free to live as themselves.

Chia. Shozenji, An LGBTQ Safe Temple Run By A Transgender Nun. Matcha, 7/22/2020.
https://matcha-jp.com/en/9828

https://matcha-jp.com/en/9828/