We welcome your questions, comments, and interest in practice. Use this page to reach out to us, sign up for a Sesshin or Ango, register for special events, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected with the monastery. See below to learn how we can help. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on retreats, practice periods, special events, and reflections from our teachers — delivered to your inbox. A simple way to keep the monastery close, wherever you are. All are welcome at Dragon Gate Temple.
Sesshin & Ango Registration — our intensive meditation retreats — and Ango — our formal practice periods — are among the most transformative opportunities we offer. If you are interested in registering or would like more information about what to expect, we would love to hear from you. No experience is necessary, and orientation is always available for those who are new to Ryumonji.
Special Events From time to time we offer special events, workshops, and programs open to the wider community. Use this contact form to register for an upcoming event or reserve your place in a specific program.
Comments & Questions Do you have questions about Soto Zen, our schedule, or what a visit to the monastery looks like? Are you curious about beginning a meditation practice? Whatever is on your mind, we welcome your message and will do our best to respond thoughtfully and in a timely manner.
Ryumonji Zen Monastery
2452 Ryumon Road
Dorchester, IA 52140
1-563-546-1309
Click Here for a map and direction to our location.
Bentley Lien | President
Karen Zuigen Neilsen | Vice President
Sue Jiren Fletcher | Secretary
Kurt Tettsu Jacobsen | Treasurer
David Zuigan Lockwood
Gendo Curtis Thornberry
Ryumonji is situated in the rural landscape of northeast Iowa, and reaching us requires a bit of intentional travel — which is itself a fitting way to begin a visit. The nearest major airport is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (MSP), with a smaller regional airport available at La Crosse, Wisconsin (LSE). Amtrak also serves La Crosse, offering a train option for those traveling by rail. For those without a car, limited bus service is available via the Rochester Express, a shuttle van connecting Minneapolis Airport to Rochester, Minnesota, with onward connections to either Decorah, Iowa or La Crosse, Wisconsin. A personal vehicle is the most practical way to complete the journey to the monastery, and detailed driving directions from each of these points are provided below.
.png)
