Korinji Rinzai Zen Buddhist Monastery

Korinji is a Rinzai Zen training monastery located in rural Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 2013, it serves as the headquarters of Rinzai Zen International and is rooted in the Zen-Ken-Sho tradition of Zen, martial arts, and fine arts. Korinji welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to engage in traditional Japanese Buddhist practices, including Rinzai Zen meditation, martial arts, tea ceremony, and Shugendo. Learn more.

Korinji Rinzai Zen Monastery is a dedicated training center for Rinzai Zen, situated in the heartland of the United States. Founded in 2013, it is the headquarters of Rinzai Zen International, a global community of affiliated meditation groups. Korinji preserves the Zen-Ken-Sho tradition, which unifies Zen practice with martial arts and fine arts, inherited from the revered Zen master Omori Sogen Roshi. In addition to Rinzai Zen, Korinji serves as a non-sectarian temple for the practice of other Japanese Buddhist traditions, including Shingon, Tendai, and Shugendo. These traditions are transmitted faithfully without mixing, allowing practitioners to explore multiple paths within a single community.

Korinji offers a wide range of practices and disciplines, including Rinzai Zen meditation, martial arts such as iaido and hojo kata, tea ceremony (sado), sacred arts like calligraphy and painting, and esoteric Buddhist practices (mikkyo). These practices are designed to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and discipline through the integration of body, breath, and mind. The monastery also hosts retreats, seminars, and public events, including intensive Zen meditation retreats (sesshin) led by Meido Moore Roshi, the current abbot. Retreats and events.

Korinji is open to both monastics and laypersons, and it welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to participate in its programs. Residency at the monastery is available for qualified applicants seeking to devote themselves fully to Zen training. Residency and ordination. The community is known for its supportive and inclusive atmosphere, with a global sangha that spans the Americas, Europe, and beyond. Our story.

For those unable to visit in person, Korinji offers online resources, including instructional videos, dharma talks, and a membership program that provides access to a digital library of practice materials. Online resources.

Korinji is located on seventeen forested acres in south-central Wisconsin, about fifty miles from Madison. The monastery is not currently accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs or who cannot navigate stairs and uneven ground. Contact for more information about visiting or participating in events.

Korinji Rinzai Zen Buddhist Monastery in Reedsburg, WI, offers a serene and structured environment for Zen practice rooted in the Zen-Ken-Sho tradition. First-time visitors would likely notice the welcoming, non-sectarian atmosphere and the integration of meditation, martial arts, and fine arts. The monastery's global sangha and emphasis on discipline and compassion create a cohesive, supportive community for both monastics and laypersons.

Pros

• Welcomes individuals of all faiths and backgrounds to Zen practice
• Offers a diverse range of traditional Japanese Buddhist disciplines including meditation, martial arts, and tea ceremony
• Provides retreats, seminars, and public events for varying levels of practitioners
• Maintains a global community with accessible online resources and membership programs
• Hosts clear Sunday worship times at 10:00 AM for structured gatherings
• Features well-defined facilities including meditation rooms, training halls, and outdoor practice areas

Cons

• Limited accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs or cannot navigate stairs and uneven ground
• No explicit information about family or children's programs available in the extract
• Website does not clearly indicate how newcomers can prepare for or participate in practices
• No details provided about musical or liturgical elements of services
• Remote location may require travel for those outside the Reedsburg area
• Event recurrence details for some programs are not clearly tied to specific dates or months