Ian Hakuryu Forsberg began practice with Kobun in 1976 at Haiku Zendo in Los Altos, CA. In 1987, he moved to Arroyo Seco, NM as part of the formation of Hokoji temple under the leadership of Kobun Chino Otogawa. After a one-year retreat in a small cabin next door, Ian ended up living in the main house with Kobun.
During the next nine years of living together, many of the traditional stepping stones of practice transpired. More importantly, given close daily contact and through the exploration of the Hokoji structure and community, an energetic transmission took place.
As Hokoji's resident teacher, Ian conveys his understanding of this energy to the Hokoji sangha. Ian’s deep exploration of this way through forms, energetics, and sister information streams allows an evolution of Kobun’s perspective, particularly as it relates to our modern American context. Since 2020, Ian has been a guiding light for Phoenix Heart, an inter-regional sangha of individuals and temples dedicated to carrying forward Kobun's teachings about the formless heart of Zen.