Retreats & Events
Throughout the year, we meet to practice and support one another at Korinji and around the world. We look forward to meeting you! See our Calendar for upcoming in-person events. (Don't forget to check for Meditation Groups near you, where you can receive instruction and meet our community members).
Zen Life Retreat: For Beginners
If you are new to Zen, please consider joining us for a weekend-long beginner's retreat at Korinji: our Zen Life Retreat. See our Calendar for dates. You will learn to meditate, have a taste of monastery life, and receive direct guidance from our teacher. Zen Life Retreats are appropriate for adults and mature teens. See the Calendar for dates and details.
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Zen Sesshin, Shugendo Training,
Art Classes, & More
Korinji offers six Dai-Sesshin — 7 day intensive Zen meditation retreats that are among the most challenging and valuable Zen practice tools — each year at the monastery, plus two additional sesshin annually in Europe. Explore our Calendar for these and other events, including Shugendo Mountain Training, special seminars, art classes, and more.
Intro to Zen Day: Open House
Korinji hosts a periodic open house: our Intro to Zen Day. Our abbot gives beginning meditation instruction and a short talk. Afterward, we enjoy tea and coffee together and take a tour of the monastery. These are also open practice days when experienced meditators can sit with us and have dokusan (private meetings with Meido Roshi to discuss their practice). See the Calendar for dates and details. Suggested donation: $20.
Shoken: Becoming a Student
At some point after beginning your Zen practice with us and engaging with our community, you may apply to become a formal student of our teacher, Meido Roshi. A short, face-to-face ceremony called shoken formalizes this, and opens the door to more intensive instruction. It is conducted at many events throughout the year. Please inquire.
Goma: Fire Ritual
At least once each month, public goma — a mikkyo fire ritual during which prayers are made for many persons and purposes — is conducted at Korinji, and you are welcome to attend. During goma you may also submit (in person or by email) prayers to be written on the wooden boards burned in the fire. Full details may be found in the Calendar listings. Suggested donation to support the monastery: $5 for each prayer board.
Buddhist Ceremonies
A number of ceremonies throughout the year at the monastery are open to the public; please see the Calendar listing of each for full details. Meido Roshi and other ordained persons in our community are also able to conduct Buddhist ceremonies for various purposes: weddings, funerals or burials (for both persons and beloved pets), memorial services, and the exorcism or blessing of buildings. Please inquire.