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

The Iki Zen Association organizes weekly zazen at the Meditation Cellar in Kruununhaka, Helsinki. Iki Zen also organizes retreats and full-time monastic practice, as well as introductions, workshops, events and lectures. Our retreat center, Ikian Zen Hermitage, was previously located in Sipoo; we are currently looking for a new location.

Presentation

Our teacher, Genpo Pluta Sensei, practiced at Bukkokuji Temple in Japan for 16 years. In total, he has practiced Zen for over 30 years. Genpo Sensei received Dharma transmission from Harada Tangen Roshi Sama in 2009 and now serves as the spiritual leader of the Iki Zen Association and Ikian Zen Hermitage. Iki Zen ry thus continues the lineage of the Japanese Zen masters, Harada Daiun Sogaku Rodaishi and Harada Tangen Roshi Sama.

Zen nun 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 the Swedish 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 Iki Zen Hermitage in Sipoo. Teishin was ordained as a Zen nun in June 2025.

In July 2025, the Iki Zen Hermitage moved out of Sipoo. Retreats will continue e.g. in Lammi, while a new location for own retreat center is being sought.

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.