Who is Hoko and what's she doing here?
Hōkō Karnegis succeeded to the leadership of Sanshin in June, 2023. She was ordained as a novice by Shohaku Okumura in 2005, and she completed her shuso hossen that same year at Kogetsu-an in Shiga, Japan. She received dharma transmission in September, 2012 and completed zuise at Eiheiji and Sojiji in November of that year. She served as communications director at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community in southern Minnesota from 2013 to 2016 and as interim practice director at Milwaukee Zen Center from 2011 to 2013. She has served as an adjunct instructor at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, where she taught Eastern Religious Traditions in the classroom and online, and now teaches Zen through Ivy Tech Community College's lifelong learning program. She is recognized by Sotoshu as nito kyoushi (second-rank teacher) and as a practitioner of baika, a type of Japanese Buddhist hymn created by Sotoshu in 1952. She is serving her second four-year appointment from Sotoshu as kokusai fukyoushi, or international teacher.
In secular life, Hoko holds a B.A. in Speech Communication / Broadcast, (University of Minnesota 1983) and a Master of Liberal Studies (University of Minnesota, 2007), a self-designed degree with coursework in East Asian literature and innovation studies (Thesis: Translating the Tradition: Organizing and Leading the American Zen Sangha). Her early career was in broadcast news production and then she spent a couple of decades working in all aspects of nonprofit and government communications, with a particular interest in strategic communications planning. Hoko conceived and created much of Sanshin Source and continues to write and curate the content. 
National leadership and engagement
Hoko serves as the president of the board of Soto Zen North America, a partnering organization with the Sotoshu Shumucho. Its mission is to cultivate a North American Soto Zen denomination that stewards the lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha, as transmitted through Dogen Zenji and Keizan Zenji, with shared purpose, mutual responsibility, and a commitment to ongoing connection with our roots in Japan. Initial objectives:
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Hoko's recorded talks on Sanshin's YouTube channel
Publications
Facing the Wall, Facing Ourselves by Shohaku Okumura, forthcoming by the Dogen Institute; served as editor and publication designer. I Vow with All Beings, ongoing series of monthly essays online for the Dogen Institute. Plum Blossoms in the Snow by Shohaku Okumura, published by Dogen Institute in April, 2025; served as editor, publication designer and contributing author. 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination, weekly essays online based on eight years of dharma talks on this text. Adding Beauty to Brocade, published by Dogen Institute in June, 2023; served as editor. Ryokan Interpreted by Shohaku Okumura, published by Dogen Institute in September, 2021; served as publication designer and photographer. Dharma Gates are Boundless, independently published in December 2020; served as publication designer. Boundless Vows, Endless Practice, published by Dogen Institute in May, 2018; served as editor and publication designer, “The Gate of Right Belief,” Buddhadharma, Winter, 2016. “Right Mindfulness,” The Eightfold Path, published by Temple Ground Press in August 2016. Milwaukee Zen Center: 30 Years of Reflections, independently published in August 2015; served as publication designer and contributing author. Creator of Ancient Way, a quarterly journal of traditional Soto Zen practice; print-on-demand issues 2014-2015; now online. “The One Left Behind,” Seeds of Virtue, Seeds of Change, ed. Wolfer and Carney, Temple Ground Press, August 2014 “The Taste of Thusness,” Buddhadharma, Fall, 2011 “Buddhism By Numbers,” Tricycle, Fall, 2008. |
Hoko's annual reports to Sotoshu
All kokusai fukyoshi (overseas clergy, considered missionaries) must submit annual reports to the denomination outlining their activities for the year. 
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