About Shinshyou Roshi

Greg Shinshyou Hicks is an ordained Soto Zen priest in the White Plum Asanga. Shinshyou was first introduced to meditation practice in 1989 through martial arts, and later through Taoist Qigong practice. He began Zen practice in 1994 in NYC at the Fire Lotus Temple and entered into formal training in 1995 as a student of the late John Daido Loori Roshi. After moving to California in 1999, Shinshyou practiced for a time with Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roshi in San Diego, until he moved to Florida in 2004 and met Lou Mitsunen Nordstrom. Shinshyou immediately connected with Mitsunen, became his student, and entered into a period of intense study with Mitsunen that continues today. Shinshyou received Dharma Transmission from Mitsunen in the Spring of 2014. Shinshyou is the head monk at Hokori-Ji in Lakeland, FL, and also enjoys serving the Zen Community at the Avon Park Correctional Facility. Shinshyou has also been designated a Qigong Master by his teacher, Chinese Qigong Master Tianyou Hao, and by the teacher of his system, The Inner Dan Arts Qigong. Shinshyou lives in the Tampa, Fl area with his family and teaches upper elementary-age children at Beach Park Montessori School. On October 15, 2022, in an informal ceremony, Mitsunen presented Shinshyou with the title of Roshi. Our HokoriJi sangha and WhitePlum lineage combine elements of Soto and Rinzai. Years after full Dharma transmission, a Sensei is eligible to receive Inka Shomei from their transmitting teacher. This is a recognition of senior teaching status and a deep understanding of the Zen Way. Once Inka Shomei is achieved, the teacher may be referred to by the title Roshi.

​

​

​