A COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES AN OPEN, INSPIRING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR SPIRITUAL QUEST

The Iki Zen Association organizes zazen, retreats, introductions, workshops, events and lectures. Weekly zazen is organized at the Meditation Cellar in Helsinki. The Iki Zen Association's meditation center, Ikian Zen Hermitage, currently operates at Villa Selkola, on the shores of Lake Selkojärvi in ​​Iitti. The activities of the Ikian Zen Hermitage include retreats and full-day monastic practice.

Presentation

Iki Zen ry continues the Zen Buddhist lineage of the Japanese Zen master Harada Daiun Sogaku Rodaishi and his successor Daisetsu Tangen Harada Roshi. Harada Tangen Roshi's successor, Genpo Pluta Sensei, practiced at the Bukkokujin Temple in Japan for 16 years. In total, he has practiced Zen for over 30 years. He received the Dharma transmission from Daisetsu Tangen Harada Roshi in 2009 and now serves as the spiritual leader of Iki Zen ry and the Ikian Zen Hermitage.

Head monk Teishin Kantinkoski only practiced under Harada Tangen Roshi for one year, but that year had a profound impact on her. She also practiced for 20 years at Sweden's Zengården, a temple of the Kapleau tradition in Sweden. She completed her koan training in 2017 with Sante Poromaa Roshi. In 2019, she returned to Bukkokuji to deepen and refine her practice in the teaching tradition of Harada Tangen Roshi. Here she received help from Genpo. Genpo and Teishin moved to Finland in August 2020 and in early 2022 they opened the Ikian Zen Hermitage in Sipoo. Teishin was ordained as a Zen nun in June 2025

In July 2025, Ikian Zen Hermitage moved out of Sipoo and will continue its operations at Villa Selkola for the time being.

Our long experience in both Japanese and Nordic monastic life offers profound insight into how to create an open, inspiring and supportive environment for spiritual quest.

The activities of the Ikian Zen Hermitage are also supported by visiting full-time practitioners with their dedicated practice.