Koun Franz came to Anchorage with his wife, Tracy, to serve as AZC’s resident priest in 2006. Before that, they lived in Japan, where Tracy taught at a university and Koun trained at Zuioji and Shogoji monasteries, and later worked at temples throughout Kyushu. In addition to his work with the AZC, Koun also teaches Buddhism and Japanese language courses at University of Alaska. In summer, he returns to Japan to continue his training and to work at Shougoji monastery.

Koun’s teacher is the Rev. Kousoku Honda, abbot of Ganzouji. Through his work here in Anchorage, Koun represents the Soto Zen headquarters as a kokusai fukyoushi, or international teacher of Zen.

A podcast of some of Koun’s lectures is available here.

Koun, Tracy, and Cormac reside happily at Uto-an.