Zen Mountain Monastery: Retreats and Training in Zen Buddhism

Welcome to Zen Mountain Monastery

Featured Retreat

Zen Arts

The Art of Zen Gardens: Sacred Space

with Stephen Morrell

July 10-13, 2008

Located on 230 acres of forest preserve in New York’s beautiful Catskill Mountains, Zen Mountain Monastery (ZMM), the mainhouse of the Mountains and Rivers Order (MRO), is one of the West’s most respected Zen Buddhist monasteries and training centers. Since its inception in 1980, ZMM has offered spiritual practitioners innovative ways to engage the Buddhist teachings through a wide range of retreats and residential programs that take place within the context of authentic, full-time Zen monastic training. Throughout the year, our teachers, staff and special guests lead retreats that highlight each of the areas that form ZMM’s unique training matrix: the Eight Gates of Zen, a Western rendition of the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. Read more about us.

Recent Events

Interview with John Daido Loori Roshi on the Zen Arts Listen to an interview with Abbot John Daido Loori on art practice broadcast on ZMM's web radio station WZEN.org.

Upcoming Retreats

Also see our full Retreat Calendar

Arts Intensive

June 24 - July 27 Residential Zen Arts Intensive

with ZMM Staff

This is the Monastery’s most popular retreat. Designed for those new to Zen, the weekend introduces the most important aspects of traditional Zen training within the context of the unique Eight Gates program...

zen aesthetic

July 1-6 The Artless Arts of Zen: Zen Aesthetic and Your Everyday Life

with John Stevens

The creative process, like a spiritual journey, is intuitive, non-linear, and experiential. It points us towards our essential nature, which is a reflection of the boundless creativity of the universe. Zen Buddhism and, particularly, the Zen arts are a rich source of teachings to help us understand and cultivate our creativity...
Art Practice Retreat with Clay

July 9-13 Touching the Earth: an Art Practice Retreat with Clay

with Mn. Jody Hojin Kimmel

As the Buddha drew near to his enlightenment experience, he was assailed by Mara, the forces of temptation. He reached down to call upon the Earth to witness his vow to remain unmoved by any distraction. Touching the earth became a gesture of determination, reflecting the Buddha’s unshakable spirit. Clay is a living material that receives, reflects, welcomes and remains faithful to our every touch.. ...

Visiting the Monastery

Sunday Morning Program

9:00-9:30 Morning Service
9:30-11:00 Zazen
11:00-12:00 Dharma Discourse/Dharma Talk
12:00-1:30 Community Dinner and Clean-up

Wednesday Evening Meditation

Many Wednesday evening meditation periods during the year are also open to the public. Newcomers will receive beginning instruction in Zen meditation and orientation to the Monastery. Please call the training office at (845) 688-2228 if you plan to visit on Wednesday.

Once you have received an introduction on either a Sunday or a Wednesday, you can join us for all meditation periods during the weekly schedule (except for sesshin once a month) .