Experiences
Bodywork & Healing Arts Retreats
The Shittan & Shabutsu - Sacred Arts program at Korinji Monastery offers a unique experience of Buddhist practice through sacred art. Participants learn Shittan, the writing of siddham or bonji characters, and Shabutsu, the art of tracing Buddhist images with brush and ink. These practices require concentration, calmness, and a meditative mind, allowing participants to connect with the images and figures they create. The program is set amidst the serene surroundings of the monastery, providing an ideal environment for spiritual growth and self-discovery. By engaging in these sacred arts, participants can expect to cultivate a deeper understanding of Buddhist principles and develop a greater sense of reverence and mindfulness.
Korinji Monastery - Rinzai Zen Training
Korinji Monastery offers a transformative Rinzai Zen training experience, providing a direct path to spiritual inquiry and enlightenment. Participants engage in practices like sanzen, zazen, koan meditation, and yogic methods to reveal their natural clarity. The monastery, led by Meido Moore Roshi, combines martial arts, fine arts, and Zen training, allowing individuals to express their wisdom in daily activities. This unique approach helps participants attain profound wisdom, compassion, and liberation within their lifetime. The training is rooted in the lineage of Omori Sogen Roshi and is designed to be encompassing, seamless, and meditative, unfolding freedom and liberation naturally.
Martial Arts Training Camp - Muay Thai
Korinji Monastery's Martial Arts Training Camp offers a unique blend of physical culture and Zen training. Participants practice traditional martial arts, such as Battoho, and engage in intensive training events and retreats. The camp is set amidst the monastery's indoor and outdoor training spaces, providing an immersive environment for spiritual growth and self-discovery. Through the practice of martial arts, participants learn to polish their spirits and defeat their inner enemies. The camp is led by experienced instructors, including the monastery's abbot, who has trained deeply in various classical and modern martial traditions.
Sado - The Way of Tea
Korinji Monastery's Sado - The Way of Tea is a unique experience that combines Japanese tea ceremony with Zen principles. Participants practice in the Kogetsu Enshu School of Zen Tea Ceremony, stressing simplicity and intensity. The goal is to integrate tea into one's life as a source of peacefulness and spiritual fulfillment. The monastery is one of the founding supporters of the Kogetsu Enshu Tea Society. Classes and special events are available, and participants can join the Society for online resources. The experience takes place at Korinji Rinzai Zen Monastery, where participants can immerse themselves in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and Zen practices.
Shugendo
Shugendo is a 1500-year-old Japanese spiritual path combining esoteric Buddhist practice, Shinto awareness, and outdoor ascetism. At Korinji Monastery, participants embark on an intensely embodied path of awakening, with mountains and nature as the mandala of spiritual practice. Through mountain pilgrimage, immersion in waterfalls, and other practices, individuals can expect a transformative experience of rebirth in nature. Korinji offers Shugendo training events, including formal Nyubu Shugyo: Mountain Training, and ordination programs. The monastery is led by an experienced Shugendo ajari, providing a unique and authentic experience.