Hospitality 19-20 September 2026

Two days to find your inner silence.

Arrival time: Saturday 10:00 AM | Ends Sunday 4:00 PM

An excellent opportunity, open to all , ideal both for those who wish to approach Zen practice for the first time, and for practitioners who wish to spend a short period of meditation in the silent heart of a Zen monastery, immersed in the woods of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

Your day at SanboJi

Meditation, teachings, energy practices, excursions and work activities in the fields and in the woods punctuate the guests' days, leaving ample space for personal study.

Things to know to make the most of your stay

Clothing

Attire should be modest, avoiding shorts, exposed midriffs, or tank tops. The use of tobacco is strongly discouraged but there are still smoking areas.

For Zen meditation, wear comfortable, dark-colored clothing , preferably without slogans or writing, a T-shirt, and long pants . Those who have one should wear a samue. Suitable walking shoes, such as slippers or zori, should be left outside the rooms, where people walk barefoot.

What to bring

Towels, toiletries, hair dryer, sleeping bag or single sheets , if you have one, your own practice cushion (zafu), work clothes, closed shoes suitable for walking in the woods, slippers for outside.

Supply

SanboJi serves completely vegetarian meals , bread made with organic stone-ground flours and baked at the Temple. Access to the kitchen is not available for personal use. While special dietary requirements are not available, there is substantial variation in what is served. Any allergies or food intolerances must be reported.

General informations

The Monastery is located among the hills, in an isolated position and surrounded by nature. Please note that in the immediate vicinity there are no restaurants, bars or grocery stores. It is therefore advisable to organize yourself with regards to personal needs.

To study the Way of the Buddha is to study oneself. To study yourself is to forget yourself. Forgetting yourself means becoming part of the world.

Hey Dogen

The Monastery

Founded by Master Tetsugen Serra in 1996, SanboJi, a Japanese translation of the Temple of the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha), was born from a group of rural buildings recovered with respect for the surrounding environment and integrated with new constructions in the traditional style of Zen monasteries. The natural and uncontaminated territory of SanboJi includes large spaces, such as Zen gardens, meadows and woods that guests can freely enjoy.

Zen Shiatsu Treatments

During our Zen hospitality retreats, in addition to meditation practice and monastic life, we are happy to offer you a unique wellness opportunity: the Zen Shiatsu treatment.

This ancient Eastern practice, deeply rooted in Zen philosophy, helps rebalance vital energy, promoting deep relaxation and a renewed sense of inner harmony.

Book it by writing to the secretariat!

For those arriving by train: a taxi service will pick you up at Berceto station (Ghiare di Berceto).
The car spaces are counted based on the actual requests sent, therefore we ask you, if you need a lift, to book it a few days in advanceby asking the secretary for the number.
The meeting point is 9.15 – 9.30 at Berceto station.
A donation of 10 euros per person per trip is requested.

In case of cancellation within two weeks of the start of the retreat, the fee will be refunded.
After this deadline, the fee can be kept and used for a future experience within the following year.