Ryumonji Zen Monastery offers regular public practice sessions as an opportunity to engage with Soto Zen Buddhism through direct experience. These gatherings follow the same rhythm and structure that shapes daily life at the monastery — rooted in zazen, service, and the quiet discipline of practice together.
Sitting in zazen is at the heart of what we do here. In the Soto Zen tradition, seated meditation is not a technique or a tool — it is the practice itself. Coming to sit at Ryumonji means stepping into that tradition directly, supported by the structure of a living monastic community and the continuity of practice that has been carried forward for generations.
Public sessions include zazen, chanting, and on Sunday mornings, a Dharma talk and discussion. Orientation is available for those who are new to Ryumonji, and guidance on posture, procedure, and schedule is provided so that you can settle in with ease and give your full attention to practice.
We encourage you to review the below practice schedule, come prepared to sit, and arrive a little early if it is your first visit. Practice begins on time.
The Ryumonji Tuesday Evening Book Group is a weekly gathering that brings the sangha together through the study and discussion of Zen Buddhist texts. Meeting every Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, the group offers a supportive and reflective space to explore the teachings more deeply — week by week, page by page. Each session draws on the text as a starting point for conversation, inquiry, and a shared engagement with the practice and philosophy of Soto Zen.
Whether you are an established member of the Ryumonji community or someone looking for a way to connect with the teachings and the sangha from a distance, the book group is a meaningful and accessible way to participate in the ongoing life of Dragon Gate Temple.
A Zoom link is provided below in the practice schedule to also join virtually.
Ryumonji offers virtual participation in its practice gatherings, making it possible to sit, study, and connect with the sangha from anywhere — bringing the monastery's teachings into your own home through a regular weekly rhythm of Zoom gatherings.
Whether you are new to Zen practice, live at a distance, or simply cannot make it to the monastery in person, these gatherings offer a genuine point of entry into the community — a way to practice together, ask questions, and be supported by the continuity of shared sitting and study week after week.
A Zoom link is provided with each session in the below practice schedule — simply click to join at the designated time and practice with us from wherever you are. A virtual chant book is available for download below to help you follow along with services. All are welcome to join. No prior experience is necessary — simply show up, sit down, and practice with us.
Schedule:
9:00am – Zazen
9:40am – Chanting of the Heart Sutra
9:50am – Dharma Talk followed by discussion
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 909 776 1518
Passcode: 273917
Schedule:
7:30pm – Zazen
8:10pm – Chanting of the Fukanzazengi
8:30pm – Tea
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 909 776 1518
Passcode: 273917
Schedule:
7:30-8:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 909 776 1518
Passcode: 273917
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