Residential training, with its emphasis on lived experience rather than theoretical knowledge, is a uniquely powerful way to study and practice Zen. It offers time and space for you to delve into your deepest questions about life and death, as well as a refuge from the consumerism, distraction and self-centered ambition of contemporary culture. Bodhidharma, the first Zen ancestor, called Zen “a direct transmission outside the scriptures with no reliance on words or letters.” The Buddha also told all disciples that they should verify for themselves, within their own lived experience, the truth of the dharma.
Some resident reflections:
I came into residency hoping to find inner peace, like they do in the movies. I think I was secretly picturing some grand, transcendent experience that would allow me to slip into distant bliss, thereby escaping the grueling journey of the rest of my life. I’m happy to say that’s not what is being offered. The training at ZMM didn’t remove me from my life; it invited me to live fully and consciously. This is the transformation that brings peace without rejecting our humanity. — Miro
Having our days here punctuated by liturgy and invitations into mindfulness is helping me to develop my own practice of pausing as I move through my day, returning to presence and connecting with gratitude for the life I’m living. Through work practice I’m learning that joy comes from immersing my whole self in the activity I’m doing, whether it’s something I would have previously found enjoyable or not. It is nourishing to shift my mindset away from efficiency and productivity and towards doing the best job I can with whatever I’m doing. That is how I want to live my life. — Rebecca
Underneath all of the training at the Monastery was a significant ease that did not strike me until I left residency. The schedule, the atmosphere, the environment is all a little incubator for Baby Buddhas. The outside world is just as much of an incubator is also of a distinctly different flavor. At the Monastery the table is set and all you have to do is bring yourself to it (no small task obviously), but entering back into the world of love, work, and family requires a definite clarity of intention and purpose. —Tré
The Monastery stands out among intentional communities as a place where individuals enter as strangers but rapidly soften into supportive peers. The “mutual polishing” of a Zen community is tough work, but the ethos of ZMM, sustained whole-heartedly by its monastics, renders that work as a labor of love and trust. I’m so grateful for the faith I’ve generated at ZMM: in practice, in MY practice, and in the community itself. — Alex
How does residency work?
Training is guided by the abbot, Shugen Roshi, and resident teachers Shoan Sensei and Gokan Osho, all longtime monastics with decades of experience between them. If you have a serious interest in Zen training, and the flexibility to step out of your ordinary life for a period of a week, a month, or longer, then residency may be for you.
One of the most important and helpful things you can do before you apply is clarify your motivation. Why are you interested in Zen training? Touching in with your aspiration and knowing what brings you to the Monastery will serve you well throughout your residency.
We do our best to provide applicants with a sense of what residency is like, but even with this information, it’s safe to say that your image of what residential Zen training is like will not match the actual experience. In some ways residency will exceed your expectations, providing you with a transformative experience that continues to unfold in deep and subtle ways long after you leave. In other ways, life here can be very ordinary, and learning to let the mind settle down takes time and the daily continuity of applied practice.
How to Apply
The Monastery strives to be an inclusive place for everyone who wishes to study Buddhadharma, and this includes acknowledging the history and enduring karma of structural oppression in our country and the inequities that persist today. If you are a woman, BIAPoC (Black, Indigenous, Asian, or Person of Color), LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, agender, or other), or economically disadvantaged, we welcome and especially encourage you to apply. For information on financial assistance see this Scholarships & DEIJ Fund page.
You might be wondering, “Am I qualified for this? Am I ready?” Please be encouraged to reach out, we are happy to make contact before you fill out your application. You can contact the Training Office at (845) 688-2228 or registrar@dharma.net with questions, or if you have a special situation to ask about, or just need a boost of confidence. If you can, let us know via email that you are considering a residency and a brief personal note so we can help respond in a timely way.
Some things to consider before you begin the application process: Clarify your intention to enter spiritual practice in a working Zen Buddhist community and consider what you will do at the end of your residency, a plan which is realistic and workable for you. Let the time you spend exploring residency enhance your spiritual and personal connection to your own life path whether you come for a weekend, a week or the entire month. Here is our residency FAQ.
In order to get a sense about residential options, please spend time with the information about the One-Month Residency, and the Year-Long Intensive. You might want to look through our Residency Photo Album to get a visual sense of residency, reflect on some of the resident’s reflections above, and listen to some of the teachings. When you’re ready, contact us through the link below to request a residency brochure and application.
If you’re interested in possibly staying for longer than one month (but less than a year) please understand that everyone starts with a single month to make sure residency is a good match. However, please be sure to mention your interest when filling out the one-month residency application.
Please note that the application process generally takes 3-4 weeks; it is best to apply at least a month ahead of the time you would like to come to the Monastery, so let us know your timeframe when you contact us! Residency generally begins on the first Tuesday of each month (ocassionally the end of the previous month. Check with the registrar for specific dates).
If you are interested in residential training and are involved in work, school or other obligations in the New York City area, you might consider a period of residency at Zen Center of New York City: Fire Lotus Temple, the MRO’s city branch.
