About us

Sanneji Zen ry (formerly Helsinki Zen Center ry) was founded in 1996. The association’s primary goal is to offer those interested the opportunity to practice Zen together with others.

We offer formal Zen meditation all year-round, introductory courses, sesshins (Zen retreats), zazenkai (all-day-sittings), Dharma talks, ceremonies, celebrations, chanting, and personal guidance.

The year-round practice center Sanneji in Karjaa offers full-day practice in shorter or longer visit periods. Our city centers in Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku organize weekly sitting sessions, all-day meditations, and Buddhist ceremonies. Our teacher, Sangen Salo sensei, lives at Sanneji in Karjaa and regularly visits our city centers to provide personal guidance in dokusan.

SANNEJI 参根寺
San 参 stands for “joining” or “going”
Ne 根 stands for “root”, “origin” or “one’s true nature”
Ji 寺 is a kanji for a Buddhist temple
“Sann” is Swedish for “true”