Amidst the monastery are various structures which support the residents and the community at large.
Main House Constructed between 1929 and 1936 by a Catholic priest along with Norwegian artisans, the main building of the Monastery features bluestone sourced from adjacent cliffs, and white oak pillars harvested from the surrounding hills. This central structure accommodates the meditation hall, dining area, kitchen, common area lounge, private living quarters for monastic and lay residents, and dormitories for guests. In 1994, it was designated as a historic landmark at both the national and state levels.
Sangha House Completed in 2012, the Sangha House encompasses a large performance hall used for events and meditation retreats, the Monastery Store, a yoga room, a fitness room, library, art studio, laundry facilities, common bathing facilities, and a
tangaryō room.
Jizo House In July 2021, the Zen Mountain Monastery completed the construction of the new Jizo House, which replaced the old white cottage across from the monastery garden. Named after Jizo
Bodhisattva, it was constructed to better accommodate retreat participants, especially those with mobility issues. This new facility includes an infirmary and end-of-life quarters for monastics and staff. The project, part of a broader initiative to enhance accessibility and inclusivity at the monastery, was documented on the Mountain Record website and further details can be found on the Jizo Project web-page.
Administrative Offices Constructed in 2000 on the north side of the Monastery, the administrative offices were designed by Michelle Yoshin Lacaditto (1964 - 2020), an architect and resident at the time. This building serves as the hub for all telecommunications and computer-related activities, including retreat planning, operations for the National Buddhist Prison Sangha, Monastery Store management, as well as graphic design and website development, consolidating these functions within a single location.
Tea House This traditional Japanese tea house is situated near the north gate of the monastery. Monastics and seasoned students engage in tea ceremony practices, sharing their knowledge through occasional workshops and other available opportunities.
Cemetery Nestled among the pines on an incline above the main structure, the cemetery is the final resting place of the Monastery’s first and second Abbots—
Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and
John Daido Loori Roshi. Additionally, it serves as the internment site for both monastics and lay students who choose to have their ashes buried there. The cemetery is a sacred site where memorial services are held, along with the yearly Hungry Ghost ceremony.
Hermitages Within the Monastery, there are two hermitages, or small cabins, designated for the use of residents and students of the MRO, with permission by the abbot. Situated a quarter mile uphill from the cabins is the Mountain Hermitage. The Dogen Hermitage is positioned past Basho Pond, while the Tea House Hermitage is conveniently situated near the Tea House, adjacent to the Monastery's driveway.
A-Frames and Cabin Circle Located up the hill from the Main House, these buildings house lay practitioners in residency at the monastery, as well as monastics.
Workshop Adjacent to the parking lot, up an extended driveway, this workshop provides storage and machining capabilities for the monastery.
Gardens Providing fresh greens for the kitchen and flowers for the alters, the vegetable garden is located near the Jizo house. The orchard, located all the way up the hill, by the A-frames, provides fruits for the community. Additional gardens are located throughout the monastery grounds. ==Training==