About This Retreat
Bodhi Zendo is South India's original dedicated Zen retreat centre — established in 1996 by Father Ama Samy in the village of Perumalmalai, perched at altitude in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, not far from the hill station of Kodaikanal. For nearly three decades, Bodhi Zendo has been the primary home of Rinzai Zen practice in South Asia, attracting students from across India and the world.
The centre is part of the Bodhi Sangha community founded by Ama Samy — a network of practitioners who gathered around his teaching over many years. Ama Samy (born 1936) is an Indian Jesuit priest who trained under Yamada Koun Roshi in Japan and received full Dharma transmission in 1982, becoming one of the few Asians authorized as a Rinzai Zen master. His approach has always been non-sectarian and open: Zen is offered as a practice of waking up, without requiring students to adopt Buddhist doctrine or abandon their existing faith or background.
Bodhi Zendo offers a classic Rinzai program: intensive sesshin (5–7 day retreats), regular zazen days, and periods of personal contemplative stay. The centre also offers programs integrating social justice, ecology, and engaged spirituality — reflecting Ama Samy's commitment to bringing the insights of Zen into the complexity of contemporary Indian life.
What's Included
✓Zazen (seated meditation) sessions
✓Dokusan (private teacher interview)
✓Dharma talks (teisho)
✓Accommodation on campus
✓Vegetarian meals
✓Walking meditation (kinhin)
✓Access to the zendo grounds and garden
✓Palani Hills forest and trail access
Reviews
Bodhi Zendo has a quality that only decades of practice can produce. The place is saturated with the energy of thousands of retreatants who have sat here before you. Ama Samy's tradition is rigorous but deeply human — the Jesuit and Indian philosophical influences give the Zen a warmth and breadth you rarely find. The Palani Hills setting is magical — mist and forest and total quiet. One of India's hidden treasures.
✓ Sesshin, Nov 2025
I have sat in many centres — Goenka vipassana, Tibetan practices, yoga retreats. Bodhi Zendo is something entirely its own. The combination of rigorous Zen form with Ama Samy's Indian and Christian influences produces an atmosphere that is both demanding and deeply welcoming. The dokusan were the most penetrating teacher encounters I have had anywhere. I will return.
✓ 7-day Sesshin, Feb 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bodhi Zendo suitable for non-Buddhists?+
Yes — Ama Samy explicitly designed Bodhi Zendo as a non-sectarian space. Many practitioners at Bodhi Zendo are Hindu, Christian, or secular. Zen practice here is offered as a path of awakening, not as Buddhist religion. Students are welcome from any background.
What is the difference between Bodhi Zendo and Kanzeon Zendo?+
Both are located in Perumalmalai and share the Ama Samy lineage. Bodhi Zendo (est. 1996) is the original centre with a longer history and community. Kanzeon Zendo (est. 2022) is a purpose-built facility with 15 en-suite rooms. They complement each other and together make Perumalmalai an exceptional destination for Zen practice in South India.
How do I register for a sesshin?+
Check bodhisangha.net for the current sesshin schedule and registration process. Bodhi Zendo sesshins fill quickly — register several months in advance for popular dates. First-time participants may be asked to complete an orientation before joining an intensive retreat.
