Both lay and ordained practitioners are eligible to live at Korinji.​

 

Residence at a Zen monastery is a precious opportunity to explore the fundamental questions of our existence. Though it is a challenging and at times exhausting way of life, those who give themselves wholeheartedly to this training may awaken to a new freedom. Returning then to the world, our true work begins: a life of compassionate service to others.

​

Korinji is a sodo, a Rinzai Zen training monastery. Residential life here is a traditional monastic apprenticeship, more rigorous and formal than the programming found at many other Zen centers. It includes daily zazen, sanzen, okyo, samu, monthly sesshin, communal living quarters, physical labor, limited privacy, and frequent correction from the abbot and senior students.

​

This does not mean that less experienced students are automatically ineligible to apply. Applicants should, however, have a solid practice foundation, clearly understand the nature of life here, and be prepared to set aside the concerns of outside life during their period of residency. They should also have a strong wish to enter a teacher-student relationship with the abbot, at least for the time of their residency. We are happy to speak with sincere applicants regarding their goals and suitability.

​

Aside from Zen, residents practice complementary disciplines in keeping with Korinji’s overall training structure of Zen-Ken-Sho: Budo, Sado, Hojo, Shittan, and Shabutsu. Residents also participate in Shugendo training events and, in general, must participate in and assist with all monastery events.

​

Residency of varying lengths is possible. No one is turned away for inability to donate. Residents who demonstrate competence and commitment may be eligible to receive a stipend from Korinji.

​

To explore the possibility of Buddhist monastic life, including annual and daily monastic schedules, please carefully read the residency information and application. When you are ready to begin a conversation with us about residency, submit the application as directed.

​

Two forms of Rinzai Zen ordination are conferred within our community: monastic ordination, shukke tokudo, and lay ordination, nyudo.

​

Shukke tokudo is ordination as a Rinzai Zen priest. It generally, though not always, requires a period of residential practice at the monastery, and includes training in instructional, ministerial, and ceremonial duties. Nyudo ordination is for senior lay practitioners in our community who wish to express a fuller commitment to the Zen path while continuing to fulfill existing family or career obligations.

​

If you are interested in a vocation of service to others through either form of ordination, please read the this information.​​​​​​​​​