About Keiryuji
Keiryuji was founded as a place dedicated to the practice of Zen in the spirit of the traditional mountain hermitages: quiet places where practitioners can devote themselves wholeheartedly to meditation and the study of the Buddha Way.
With a small group of dedicated residents, we follow a steady daily programme consisting of zazen, Buddhist services, study, and samu (working together). The simplicity of temple life and the profound tranquillity of the surrounding mountains provide a strong foundation for personal retreat and residential training.
The remote setting of Keiryuji is not accidental. Away from the distractions and demands of modern life, the mountains invite a return to what is essential. The changing seasons, the silence of the forests, and the rhythm of daily life in nature support meditation and contemplative practice. In this way, the natural surroundings become an integral part of the training, inviting stillness, awareness, and a deeper appreciation of the Buddha Way.
Keiryuji is part of the White Plum Lineage and the Soto School. The abbot and teacher, Gakudo den Hollander Roshi, is a Dharma heir of Tenkei Coppens Roshi of Zen River in the Netherlands and is fully certified by the Japanese Soto School. Through this lineage, the temple continues the teaching tradition established by the late Taizan Maezumi Roshi.