Montebello Sozenji Buddhist Temple

A registered non-profit religious organization founded in December, 1971 by Reverend Shuyu Hideo Kurai, resident priest of Zenshuji Soto Mission, Los Angeles and head priest of Kongo-In Temple in Shima, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Sozenji which means Soto Zen Temple is an official registered Soto Zen Buddhist temple recognized by the Soto Zen headquarters in Japan. Current abbot is Reverend Shuichi Thomas Kurai, son of founder, Rev. Shuyu Kurai who became head priest in 1986. There are approximately 80 families mostly of Japanese American heritage that make up the congregation. The is a Board of Directors made up of 9 members. The abbot officiates the religious services and ceremonies such as Buddhist holiday services, family services,weddings, funerals, memorial services and offers Zen meditaion - Zazen practice and Zen Buddhism classes. Cultural classes are offered as well such as taiko drumming, koto, shigin, nagauta (Kabuki music), bunka=shishu embroidery, batik and karaoke. Annual public fund-raising events include food sale at the Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival in mid-April, Chicken Teriyaki Sale in May or June and the Sozenji Community Obon Festival in mid-July. All holiday services, monthly family service, Zen classes and meditation sessions, fund-raising events and cultural classes are open to the public.