Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monastery, opened on July 4, 1976. Located on the banks of the highest lake in the Catskills amid 1,400 acres of forest and meadows in the Catskill Mountains Preserve, Dai Bosatsu Zendo offers an inspiring setting for Zen practice. Traditional residential monastic training periods and retreats are offered to serious lay and ordained Zen students of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Here they are given the opportunity to actualize realization and understanding through deep, introspective inquiry. Training includes koan work, sesshin (long retreats), dokusan (spiritual guidance) and teisho (Dharma teaching), and is centered around the discipline of structured daily zazen and work, with the guidance of Abbot Shinge Sherry Chayat and the support of the Sangha. Students and guests are also welcome at Introduction to Zen weekends, family weekend, and work weekends. During the summer interim, our internship program offers students the opportunity to experience monastic life while helping to support our hosting programs featuring visiting teachers who lead yoga, reiki, shiatsu and other movement and wellness workshops, recovery retreats, writers’ retreats, art workshops, and more.
Intro to Zen
Please join us for our Introduction to Zen Weekend program, which offers a unique opportunity for those who wish to acquaint themselves with Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice in a monastic environment. Our introductory workshops emphasize the basics: zazen (sitting posture and breathing), chanting, formal procedures for meals, and work practice. Read More
Sesshin
Sesshin is the essence of Zen practice. These week-long intensive silent Zen retreats are held at Dai Bosatsu Zendo six times a year. The word “sesshin” means to collect one’s heart or mind. These kind of retreats are practiced by all Zen schools throughout the world. Read More
Intensive Training
Attending kessei, a traditional three-month training period held each spring and fall, offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow, be challenged, and deepen your practice. The rigorous schedule and remote, beautiful setting allow students to immerse themselves completely in their practice– a rare opportunity in our hectic, plugged-in, multitasking world. Read More
Work Study
Dai Bosatsu Zendo opens its doors winter and summer to serious beginners and seasoned Zen students who cannot afford to attend sesshin or kessei or who have more limited time. There are several options. Read More
Students and Guests
Zen students are welcome to join our daily practice schedule of zazen, chanting and work. The daily schedule is from 4:30am to 8pm, and all scheduled activities are mandatory for those coming as students. The guest rate is $75/day for periods of less than seven days, and $45/day for periods longer than seven days. Read More
Program Hosting
During the spring, summer and fall, Joraku-an (Beecher House) is available to groups needing a venue for retreats or seminars. Larger groups can be accommodated in the monastery as well. Three delicious vegetarian meals a day are included in the fee. Read More
Directions
Google map and directions from New York City: Read More