The Rhythm of Daily Practice

The daily practice at Keiryuji has grown naturally from the simplicity of life in a remote mountainhermitage. Living close to nature and following the rhythm of daily temple life provides a supportive environment for sincere and wholehearted Zen practice.

Because we welcome only a small number of practitioners at a time, each person's practice is shaped through close contact with the teacher.

Rather than following a fixed programme, each stay is developed together by the teacher and the practitioner, taking into account previous experience, current circumstances, and the practitioner's aspirations. The teacher has the final responsibility for determining the course of the practice.

A stay at Keiryuji is not simply a period of quiet rest. It is an opportunity to devote yourself wholeheartedly to Zen practice by participating in the daily rhythm of temple life.

Our daily schedule is as follows:

- 07:00 – Two periods of zazen (40 minutes each) with 10 minutes of kinhin between

- Morning Buddhist service

- Breakfast

- Dokusan during the second period of zazen

- 10:00–11:30 – Samu (work practice)

- Tea and coffee break

- Time for personal practice

- 13:30 – Lunch

- Rest or free time until 16:00

- Individual exercise (walking, running, etc.)

- 18:00 – Dinner

- 19:00 – Two periods of zazen (30 minutes each) with 10 minutes of kinhin between

- Evening Buddhist service and the Four Bodhisattva Vows

Participation in the complete daily schedule is an essential part of practice at Keiryuji. We therefore ask all guests to commit themselves wholeheartedly to the schedule throughout their stay.