Ryumonji Zen Monastery

Monastery Building Plans

A forty acre farm was donated for the development of Ryumonji. The land was donated in February of 2000. During the first two years many volunteers worked to clean up the farm land and renovate the existing buildings. The farm house was originally a 1890's log cabin. The second floor of the log cabin portion of the farm house has been was as the zendo (meditation room). The barn was renovated for workshop use and the grainery renovated for storage.

Buddha Hall

In 2003, the first of four permanent monastery buildings was built. This main building is referred to as the Buddha Hall (Hondo). It is the place of morning and evening services, and dharma lectures. It is also used for zazen meditation until the Sodo can be built. The Buddha Hall is a 40' x 52' timber framed structure with metal roof and in-floor heating. It was dedicated on June 23, 2007.

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Entry Gate - Bell Tower

These stuctures are traditional for a Soto Zen monastery.
In 2005 an entry gate (sanmon) and bell tower (shoro) were built. They were completed in 2005.

Bell Tower

Kuin

The Kuin is a residential facility for guest participants and for resident teachers. It also contains a commercial kitchen, office dokusan (interview) room, and community dining room. It is a 46' x 70' structure with two levels. It has a geothermal heating/cooling system in place.

Kuin Dedication (June 2007)

Long Range Plans

The long range plans include two further monastery buildings, the Sodo (Monks Hall) and the Shuryo (Study Quarters). These two buildings are for monks in residential training. The Sodo is also a meditation hall for monks and lay practitioners to practice zazen.

Architecture Plans

Plot Plan	Project Elevation
Site Plan	Buddha Hall, Sodo, Shuryo
Kuin Plan, Ground Floor	Kuin Plan, First Floor
Northwest Projection