Shoken Winecoff, the resident monk and founding teacher of Ryumonji Zen Monastery, stopped by the KPVL studios on September 22 for an interview on Mary Beth Thesing’s health & wellness program “Circle Connect.” Shoken talked about his past, including a stint as a catholic priest, as well as his journey as a Buddist monk. Listen to the entire interview via the audio player below.
Ryumonji Zen Monestary is located in rural Dorchester Iowa, about 20 miles northeast of Decorah. It is registered as a formal temple with Soto Zen Headquarters in Japan. Ryumonji is hosting “Taste of Ryumonji”–its annual open house, fall festival and craft sale–on Sunday October 2 from 1-5pm. The festival includes fall themed appetizers and beverages, as well as a pie auction at 3:30pm.
There are public meditation sessions offered every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. and every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. Orientation can be given before these sittings if you are new to Ryumonji. There are monthly weekend retreats (Sesshins). There are also extended practice periods in summer and winter (Ango). For more, visit: http://www.ryumonji.org
