Welcome to Zen Mountain Monastery
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
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 |
Aug 18-24 Hazy Moon Sesshinwith Shugen Sensei and Ryushin Osho Characterized by silence and deep introspection, sesshin is recommended to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing intensive Zen training. We wake up each day before dawn to begin a schedule that includes 7 to 10 hours of zazen, chanting services, formal silent meals in the zendo (oryoki), work practice... |
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Aug 29-31 Ango Opening Sesshinwith Shugen Sensei and Ryushin Osho The weekend sesshin is perfect for those who want an introduction to sesshin practice or for more experienced practitioners who are unable to attend the longer retreats. The retreat begins Friday evening with an orientation to introduce first-time participants to oryoki, face-to-face teachings, and the spirit and schedule of sesshin... |
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Sep 5-7 Introduction
to Zen Training Retreat
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Sep 12-14 Qigong: Breath/Energywith Arthur Makaris Qi (or ki in Japanese) is a powerful life force that lies at the heart of one’s physical and spiritual well-being. In zazen, qi manifests itself as joriki, the power of concentrated awareness that is available whether we are still or engaged in activity. The practice of qigong fosters harmony of the mind, body and breath, eroding unconscious tension and generating greater health and vitality... |
Visiting the Monastery
Sunday Morning Program
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Wednesday Evening Meditation | ||||||||
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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) . |
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Zen Mountain Monastery is part of the Mountains & Rivers Order: Zen Center of NYC | Dharma Communications | Society of Mountains and Rivers | The Monastery Store | JohnDaidoLoori.org | Zen Environmental Studies Institute | National Buddhist Prison Sangha |
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| © Mountains & Rivers Order | ||