The Blue Mountain Sage Sangha is a Tendai Buddhist sangha founded in the summer of 2010. Shidoshi Roger Choat, Head Instructor of the Denver Dojo of Bujinkan Martial Arts, suggested to us the base for the name (Mountain Sage Sangha). The word blue was added because of the blue hue wild sage has when it grows high in the Rocky Mountains. The Sangha is located in Denver, ten minutes away from downtown and fifteen minutes from the front range of the Rockies. Our Sangha is the Sangha twin of the Red Maple Sangha, located just outside the town of Renfrew in Canada.

Weekly meditation service:

We hold a meditation every Sunday followed by a discussion. The meditation is open to the public. We are currently considering conducting another meditation to accommodate more people, possibly on a weekday evening. We offer a brief orientation for those interested. This is not required but many find it useful. Please contact us and we will set aside some time before meditation to provide an overview and answer any questions.

Walking meditation:

We meet once a month, or more, to do walking meditation called Kokorodo. This meditation emulates the Kaihogyo done on Mt. Hiei. We follow a route covering one of the Flat Irons in Boulder and walk for several miles in silence. From time to time we will do an all day walking meditation. More than a hike, this is a very useful meditation that engages the practitioner in all aspects simultaneously. Sangha members and people interested in Kokorodo or outdoor walking meditation begin with the shorter routes before engaging in the whole day meditation.

Special events:

Most Tendai retreats and special events take place at the Tendai Buddhist Institute in Canaan New York. The TBI is also the Tendai-shu New York Betsuin, headquarters for the Tendai North America District and is lead by Rev. Monshin Naamon. Monshin has a monthly newsletter he uses to keep everyone informed of these retreats and special events, called the Shingi. The temple in Canaan, Jiun-zan Tendai-ji, is designated as a branch of Enraykuji, the head Tendai temple on Mt. Hiei in Japan. This branch designation authorizes Monshin and Managing Director, Shumon, to teach and train people for ordination and to represent Tendai Buddhism in the West. Rev. Monshin Naamon also serves as Secretary General for Tendai-shu North American District.