Does Zen even have monasteries!

[Christopherxx]

So although the subject is a bit of a stretch it seems kind of relevant.

My tradition is Theravada and there are numerous monasteries/temples in both the native countries (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, etc.) as well as in the west. These monasteries train monastics, provide the dhamma purely on dana, and dependent on your interest (scholar - most of the time goes Sri Lanka styled monasteries, Monastic Code and living communally with an emphasis on practice - Thailand, and Burma for heavy heavy practice.

With Zen it seems very little places are available to train. For the ones that are available they usually charge quiet a fair penny for residency programs, training, etc. And lastly most are a bit of everything. So one isn't able to find the niche of strong study, or strong practice, etc.

It's really sad to see. And it's surprising because knowing Zens history in America and in the West in general it would seem like it should be the exact opposite.....
Christopherxx

Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:29 am

[Seishin]

I'm not sure about Japanese zen but most definitely in China, Korea, Taiwan & Vietnam. Although interestingly in many East Asian monasteries monks will do the cooking, the cleaning, farming etc, where-as Therevada monastaries in the East rely solely on lay people.

Gassho,
Seishin.

[floating_abu]

Yes, as I understand it, Zen/Ch'an tradition has monasteries.

[seeker242]

There are plenty of zen monasteries in asian countries. Japan, China, Korea, etc. Not as many in the US I would think but they are still around. There are plenty of zen centers though, which normally cater to and support layperson practice rather than traditional monastic practice.

[BuddhaSoup]

If you're looking for a Soto monastic setting in the US, there's Ryumonji. http://www.ryumonji.org/ The Abbot there, Rev. Shoken Winecoff, is the real deal: experienced, well trained and educated, genuine, and kind. Ryumonji has direct ties and relationship to Soto-shu in Japan.

[floating_abu]

Or google Zen Centers of the World or BuddhaNet Buddhist Directory

[Christopherxx]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have found that most of the soto monasteries are more ceremonial locations/etc (Not dismissing this but surely doesn't seem that strong on Zazen practice) *I could do more at home I think *.

Anyone have some good links/locations?

Thanks Buddha soup!

[JKhedrup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBfgd-rPshY
John Daido Loori has always fascinated me. I know he has passed away but he has a community in the New York state are.

There is also a traditional Chinese temple associated with City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Calgary called Avatamsaka Monastery- very traditional Ch'an lineage of Master Hsuan Hua.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR6OG_okPJ4
This is about a place called "Great Vow Zen Monastery" in the USA.

[Devotionary]

Chung Tai Chan, one of Taiwan's Four Heavenly Kings (a name given to institutions pioneering different forms of Buddhism), is a relatively traditional Zen/Chan monastery, with branches all over the US and Australia. Please take a look at this link: http://www.ctworld.org/english-96/html/a8branches.htm

They have Seven-Day Retreat programs that you can take in total silence (quite similar to a Vipassana retreat, I heard) and you can spend prolonged periods of time as a lay volunteer following the monastic system.

And no, most legitimate Zen/Chan monasteries with real monastics shouldn't charge terribly expensive fees; they would, at most, ask you to pay for food, lodging and facilities, but would never rip you off for profit. One reason why I am quite weary of American and Western Zen teachers.

[Sara H]

Yes!

There is a Soto Zen Monastery in Mt. Shasta California, Shasta Abbey.

http://www.shastaabbey.org

As well as one in the UK, in Northumberland, Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey.

http://www.throssel.org.uk

Hope that helps!

There are also numerous small temples that have fully monastic monks.

In Gassho,

Sara H

[tingdzin]

Google Joshu Sasaki Roshi

[gordtheseeker]

There are several in Japan. Here is a web page that lists monasteries that are foriegner friendly. http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/eng/temples/foreigner/index.html