Mosteiro Zen Morro da Vargem
Latin America's first Soto Zen monastery, set in the hills of Ibiraçu, with Japanese-style halls and a large white Buddha statue inside an Atlantic rainforest reserve.
The Mosteiro Zen Morro da Vargem was founded in 1974 by Japanese monks and is the first Soto Zen meditation monastery in Latin America. It lies in Ibiraçu, about 70 km north of Vitória, and its grounds are also a reforestation reserve of Atlantic rainforest. The monastery has a Japanese-style meditation hall, a bell tower and a tall white Buddha statue on the hillside overlooking the valley. It is open to visitors on weekends, and you can sign up for seated meditation and retreats. Please observe the monastery's rules and keep quiet. It is about 1 hour by car.
Opening hours
Weekends about 09:00–17:00 for visits (check official sources)
Nearby sights
- Santa Teresa
- Paneleiras de Goiabeiras
- Ilha das Caieiras
- Parque Pedra da Cebola
- Camburi Beach
- Fonte Grande State Park
- Curva da Jurema
- Parque Moscoso