Hoko Karnegis to succeed Sanshin Zen Community abbot Shohaku Okumura

Shohaku Okumura and Hōkō Karnegis, via sanshinji.org

In a letter dated January 5, Shohaku Okumura, abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, Indiana, has announced that SZC has selected Hoko Karnegis as its new Vice Abbot (and future Abbot). As Vice Abbot, Karnegis, a longtime member and administrator of the community, will, according to SZC, “serve as administrative director and also assume an increasing role in practice leadership. She will work in partnership with the abbot and the board of directors to support the spiritual well-being, growth, and ethical conduct of the SZC sangha, as well as to ensure stable and sustainable organization development which is based on sound short-term and long-term strategic planning. In addition, she will work in partnership with the abbot and the board to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the Dōgen Institute based on its own goals and objectives as a part of SZC.”

SZC has built a long-term succession plan for the transition: Karnegis is expected to assume the role of Abbot in June of 2023.

Her resume can be viewed online, here.