Ryumonji is a Soto Zen Buddhist Monastery near Decorah, Iowa. It is located 20 miles northeast of Decorah at 2452 Ryumon Road off of County Road A26.

The name "Ryu-mon-ji" is comprised of three Japanese characters which mean "Dragon Gate Temple". It's an ancient name that comes from a Chinese legend. The legend is that there is a gate in the ocean where huge waves repeatedly rise. The fish that can pass through the waves of this gate become dragons. Dragons are mythological characters that represent persons of great strength and compassion. The waves there are no different than the waves anywhere else. Passing through the waves of everyday life is the dragon gate.

Ryumonji has Zen Buddhist roots. Historically, in India from the Buddha's time (500 B.C.) zazen (sitting meditation) practice was called Dhyana. Later in China it was called Chan, and in Japan Zen. Soto Zen has a long ancestral lineage. True Buddhism is beyond denominationalism. Anyone is welcome.

The founding teacher and abbot of Ryumonji is Rev. Shoken Winecoff.  He is assisted by Rev. Jikan Kondrick.  They have both practiced Zen meditation for over 25 years.  They studied with the late Dainin Katagiri Roshi, a Japanese monk who was the founder of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Rev, Shoken Winecoff received dharma transmission from Katagiri Roshi in 1989, then practiced for three years in Japan at Zuioji Senmon Sodo. Rev. Jikan Kondrick also practiced in Japan at Shogoji International Zen Monastery. Jikan Kondrick is resident director of the Decorah Zen Center at 510 Baker Av.

The monastery is located in the rolling hills of northeast Iowa. Forty acres of land were donated for the purpose of establishing a monastery. Currently, existing farm buildings have been renovated, and a new Buddha Hall has been completed.  Currently a new Kuin building is being constructed.  It will be completed by Fall of 2007.  This building will be a residential guest facility with commercial kitchen, office, and teachers' quarters. See proposed building plans for future monastery buildings.

There are public meditation sessions offered every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Decorah at 510 Baker Ave. (563-382-9173) On Thursday evenings, public meditation sessions are held at the Ryumonji country land at 7:30 p.m. (563-546-1309). If you are new, you can call in advance to confirm your arrival and to request zazen (meditation) instruction. The silent meditation periods are 40 minutes in length, and usually followed by cookies and tea. Zazen is also available weekday mornings at 6:20 a.m. at Ryumonji, and in Decorah. See schedule of activities for monthly weekend retreats (sesshins). Zen retreats are highly structured with ten forty minute periods of zazen per day. Previous zazen experience is suggested. There are no fees for attendance. Free-will dana offerings are gratefully accepted.

Ryumonji Zen Monastery is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit religious organization. All donations are tax deductible.

For further information call Ryumonji at 563-546-1309.