Our Ministers
About
Our Ministers & Shami
Reverend Kanjin Cederman
Reverend Kanjin Cederman (Chaplain) ENS. USN, CCPO, M.Div, M.Ed, BA.
Head Minister, Choeizan Enkyoji | Chaplain
Rev. Kanjin Cederman is the head minister of Choeizan Enkyoji. Prior to this position, he served as head minister of the Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church for two years and, before that, led the Western New York Buddhist Sangha.
Spiritual Journey
Born in Wheatfield, NY, Rev. Cederman began his spiritual path at 18 as a Buddhist monk in the Chinese Shingon tradition. At 23, his journey took a transformative turn when he moved to Toronto and met Rev. Tsukamoto, head minister of the Toronto Nichiren Shu temple. Receiving a copy of the Lotus Sutra from Rev. Tsukamoto, he experienced a profound awakening and recognized it as the highest teaching of the Buddha. One week before leaving for Taiwan permanently, he courageously chose a new path, leaving the Shingon temple to study under Rev. Tsukamoto.
For 13 years, Rev. Cederman devoted himself to study and practice, culminating in his priestly ordination at Shingyo Dojo on Mount Minobu, Japan, in 2007. His training continued with reidan in Tokyo and the intensive aragyo practice at Onjuin in Chiba in 2010.
Today, Rev. Cederman serves as a Chaplain in the United States Navy and within hospital systems. He shares the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, as well as yoga and meditation practices, guiding others in Dhyana concentration, inspiring clarity, compassion, and liberation on their spiritual paths.M.
Links for Kanjin Cederman Shonin
Rev. Kane Rosman
Assistant Minister at Seattle Enkyoji.
Born in the autumn of 1971 on a small wheat farm in Eastern Washington State. With one brother and three sisters, there was always something happening in the house!!!!! I always enjoyed being part of a big family!
Spiritual Journey
My Spiritual Journey in Buddhism truly started out in 2012 when I began to visit different meditation groups in Seattle. I soon walked into the Choeizan Enkyoji Temple and started to diligently practice with the Sangha. Sensei Cederman was very welcoming, and I soon began my studies with him.
My shami studies helped me to gain not only knowledge of Buddhist teachings, but I also learned how to challenge myself to learn proper service skills. The teachings of the Lotus Sutra truly called to me and I feel that chanting Odimoku is good medicine for my spirit. Practicing Buddhism has helped me to be comfortable with my emotions and to persevere through challenges in my life. I have truly been blessed and I find much joy in sharing the Dharma with others!!
Shami Kansho David Oakes (Chaplain)
Chaplain/ Founder of Enkyoji Group Recovery Program
Chaplain Shami Kansho is currently an Honorary Chaplain at Dorset County Hospital in the UK and an Associate Member of the Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy Trust and a member of the College of Healthcare Chaplains.
Spiritual Journey
He is also currently completing his Novice Priest training under the direction of his Master: Rev Cederman. Spiritual Journey: Even from an early age Kanshō was always seeking, searching and looking for answers and at the age of 25 came across Buddhism. Initially with a lay organisation but later with Nichiren Shu in the form of Rev Jeffus’ Myoshoji Online Temple. After Rev Jeffus’s death he reached out to and took the refuge ceremony with Rev Cederman and was appointed a Lay Leader after completing the year long training. With Rev Cederman’s support and guidance, he founded Enkyoji Buddhist Network Recovery Group in March 2021 with the aim of offering help, support and guidance to people suffering from various forms of addiction and to offer Buddhist principles, practices and teachings as a solution to understanding and alleviating such issues. The Recovery Sangha meets every Saturday with attendees from all over the world. Shami Kanshō always felt a calling and vocation to the Priesthood which he was further able to explore with Rev Cedeman’s support. Resulting in his ordination as a Novice Priest and Rev Cederman’s official student in 2022.
In 2023 Shami Kanshō begin to pursue a further calling and vocation for Chaplaincy and inparticularly healthcare Chaplaincy and has since gone on to complete the Guy’s & St Thomas’s ‘Access to Healthcare Chaplaincy Course’. He is also currently completing a Masters Degree in Healthcare Chaplaincy & Wellbeing and taking up post as a fully qualified Chaplain within the National Health Service in the UK as an Honorary Chaplain at Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust.