Korinji Foundation

Editor’s Note:

IN THE CHICAGO AREA?  If so, and if you are interested in practicing Zen meditation~ click here: Chicago Zen Community for all the details.

LATEST NEWS! A new VIDEO Introduction: Using footage shot at Korinji, this video reveals the teachers and history which have led to Korinji’s foundation. Scenes documenting the raising of Korinji’s first structure are interspersed with views of the land, historical photos, and images of the volunteers who are working today to build Korinji.

Korinji needs your donations as the construction of their meditation hall and monastic dwelling continues! Please CLICK HERE to make a donation today…thank you!

As this new paradigm of self-sustainability evolves and continues to shift the world toward becoming more self-aware and reconnected to earth, environment and consciousness in all forms, it is nice to see groups such as the Korinji Foundation building a zen monastery retreat that is environmentally friendly, self sustainable and constructed in harmony with its natural surroundings.  Korinji is an  interactive project, currently calling many volunteers to aid in its construction. Be it by monetary donation or hands-on construction, support has come from many directions to establish this incredible project. Now, this is your chance to become involved in Korinji’s continuing construction and community as well.  ALL donations go directly to establish and maintain the monastic residence and zendo.  Once built, Korinji is open to everyone wishing to ‘unplug from the matrix’ and  reconnect with self and nature.  Your continuing support will make it possible for you to visit and take part in what you have helped build.  Please read more to get the full scope of this exciting opportunity to become a part of something truly special.  Read on below!

Information Provided By: Korinji Foundation

Monastery

In 2005, fundraising was begun to fulfill the Korinji Foundation’s primary mission:  the establishment of a Rinzai Zen sodo (monastic residence) in the Upper Midwest region of the USA.

In 2008 the Foundation purchased 17 acres of forested land in Wisconsin, a short distance northwest of Madison.  Funds for this purchase were obtained through our ongoing capital campaign, and represent the donations of hundreds of individuals, organizations and corporations.

In 2009, groundbreaking occurred for Korinji’s first structure.

Short-term: Stage One of our plan (see below) has begun, and is schedule for completion in 2010.  Fundraising will continue, enabling the completion of further stages.

Long-term: as Korinji begins to be used for monastic training, fundraising will continue to develop and maintain the property.  This is to be done with minimal clearing and impact, maintaining the quiet, forested nature of the land there. Ultimately, our goal is to rely solely on green/renewable energy sources, taking the property “off the grid”.

Please also visit our blog, Rinzai Heartland,  which serves as the Korinji newsletter and where monastery updates are posted.

STAGE ONE: Target completion, Autumn 2010

Summary: Construction of a 30×60′ structure to serve as as our zendo, storage space, and staging/work space for the construction of Stage Two.

Status: Groundbreaking and completion of foundation occurred on July 18-19, 2009.  Construction is now ongoing (see our Images page).

Sotekizan Korinzenji: Zendo

Designed by Tomasz Teterycz

Side Elevation

In addition, sculpture and various ceremonial/training-related items to be installed within the zendo are in the process of being commissioned or obtained by the Korinji Foundation.

Completed maquette of the Sakyamuni statue which will serve as the Korinji honzon

By Chicago artist Jennifer Dickson (final version to be fired terracotta with copper leaf, one meter tall)

STAGE TWO

Summary: Completion of a residential house, including kitchen, bath and sanitary facilities, dining room, library and office, to serve as the living quarters of the abbot and other residents.

STAGE THREE

Summary: Long-term, construction of associated structures and features:  vegetable gardens, aesthetic garden/landscape features, ceramics kiln, nature trails, etc.

Your help is desperately needed! In order to achieve our vision of a Rinzai Zen training monastery in America’s heartland, the resources and energy of many will continue to be required long into the future.

The premise of Zen is not mysterious:  there is a basic human sanity and clarity which can be realized and embodied, and which holds hope for our future. The generous support of our donors expresses their commitment to this hope.  Working together, we can send it out to the world.

Ways to Contribute to Korinji

Click below to explore different options for contributing to the Korinji Foundation:

 
• Make an Instant Donation Now, or Sign-up for an Automated Monthly Donation
  

 

 
• Corporate Matching Programs
  

 

 
• Donate Securities (Stocks)
  

 

 
• Memorial or Honorary Gifts
  

 

 
• Bequeath to Korinji
  

 

 
• Shopping and Searching Online
  

 

 
• Donate a Used Vehicle
  

 

 
• Upcoming Fundraising Events
  

 

The Korinji Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 public charity.  Contributions, bequests, devises, transfers or gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible as specified by the Internal Revenue Service.  If you would like  to confirm that the Foundation is on the list of IRS federally tax-exempt organizations, please go to http://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78

WHO ARE THE FOUNDERS OF KORINJI?: THE KORINJI DONOR’S CIRCLE

Immediate Needs

We are currently working to construct the first building on our monastery land:  the zendo, or meditation hall.  Simultaneously in 2009, we will complete the layout and construction of a parking area, and the construction of trails through our land including the inset of steps into hillsides and the placement of a footbridge over one of the ravines.

Right now, we desperately need tools to for our work.  If it can be used for simple construction, clearing land, landscaping or gardening, we probably need it!  Here is a partial list:

 
• 1 Generator
  

 

 
• 1 Extension cords, 12-gauge
  

 

 
• Ladders:  2 A-frame and 1 extension (28′+)
  

 

 
• 2 Wheelbarrows
  

 

 
• Drills and drill bits/driver bits
  

 

 
• Sawzall and blades
  

 

 
• Circular saws
  

 

 
• Miter saw and blades
  

 

 
• Hand saws
  

 

 
• Clamps
  

 

 
• Levels:  1 x 96″, 4 x 48″, 4 x 9″ torpedo level
  

 

 
• 4 Framing squares, large and small
  

 

 
• 1 Plumb bob
  

 

 
• 6 Tape measures
  

 

 
• Crowbars/prybars
  

 

 
• Screwdrivers, set
  

 

 
• Pliers
  

 

 
• 10 Hammers
  

 

 
• Box cutters/utility knives and blades
  

 

 
• Shovels
  

 

 
• Rakes
  

 

 
• Sledgehammers
  

 

 
• Axes, mauls
  

 

 
• Pruning saws, polesaws
  

 

Please contact us if you’d like to donate items.  We’ll of course send you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

Get On Our List

If you are interested in Korinji, we will happily add you to our mailing list: just click the icon below. You’ll receive periodic event announcements, project updates, articles and resources, and more.

Spread the Word!

A crucial way we hope you’ll help Korinji is by letting people know about us and our mission. Please recommend our site by clicking the icon below. Talk us up!  Send our link to your list.    Let people know what we’re working to accomplish.  The more people know about the Foundation and its mission, the more connections will be made…and the more people will benefit from our work.  A casual word in the right ear could well be the cause for incredible new developments.  Get the word out, and help us to make public awareness of Korinji snowball!

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