Live-in Training at Chozen-ji
Longer term live-in monastic training is available to people who have already begun training at Chozen-ji. Individuals interested in this kind of training may begin training through our beginning zazen class.
Live-in students follow a rigorous daily schedule including zazen (meditation), physical work, martial and fine arts training, and living in a 24/7 training community. The monastery schedule does not include days off or rest periods.
Interested applicants should review this webpage, our FAQs and the instructions below before contacting Chozen-ji. We also recommend reading two blog posts written by previous live-ins, Katrina Fineza and Christine Cordero.
Sample Daily schedule
Below is the typical schedule for live-in training of any length. All scheduled zazen sittings, and Kendo and Okyo classes are required for all live-ins. The weekends vary slightly but there are no days off.
Chozen-ji live-ins doing outside work.
5:00AM Wakeup
5:30AM Zazen
6:15AM Training—Budo (Martial Arts) or Okyo (Chanting)
7:30AM Breakfast & Cleanup
8:00AM Outside Work
12:00PM Lunch & Cleanup
12:30PM Training & Outside Work
4:30PM Shower
5:00PM Dinner
6:00PM Zazen
6:45PM Zazen
7:30PM Training—Budo (Martial Arts) or Okyo (Chanting)
9:00PM Cleanup
10:00PM Bedtime or Free Training
Costs
Kendo class at Chozen-ji.
All training at Chozen-ji is by donation. Accommodations are basic (no private rooms) and students are expected to contribute in whatever way they can.