Some side quests in Cyberpunk 2077 aren't listed on the map. Nobody contacts you by phone or sends you a cryptic message. For these side quests, you have to randomly bump into a peculiar stranger. Sometimes that stranger is a talking vending machine, sometimes it's a monk.

While wandering the streets and getting your hands dirty, you may have stumbled upon a monk sitting in a park. He gestures you over, offers you a braindance, and disappears. This isn't just a one-and-done questline. You will end up stumbling upon him again more than once. It's meant to feel as though he knows exactly when to pop up on you and that it's completely random, but it actually isn't. You can go out of your way to find all of his locations and complete every quest he has to offer in zen training.

Updated January 08, 2024, by Sean Murray: Tracking down Cyberpunk's Zen Master can be tricky as his quests don't appear until you accidentally stumble across him. If you're looking for a more direct approach to achieving enlightenment, this guide is here to help. We've refreshed this guide with improved formatting and more breakout tips to make finding this elusive Master much easier.

Should You Pay The Monk?

Before meeting the Monk, you should know that every session includes a conversation about payment. He doesn't ask for any money. The man simply states that you can pay any amount you see fit, including nothing.

Your actual in-game choices are 'nothing' or a specific amount the game has chosen. The amount you pay (or don't pay) doesn't matter; the quest plays out the same either way. The only thing that changes is the number of eddies you have.

Imagine - Corpo Plaza

The first quest the Zen Master has to offer is called Imagine. None of his quest markers will be displayed on the map until you bump into him. To find him, you have to travel to the Corpo Plaza district.

There will be an area below roads full of lush greenery, like a city park. As shown in the image above, this location is on the edge of the district. Traverse through this park until you find him sitting on a bench.

The closest fast-travel terminal is Reconciliation Park.

This first braindance is about appreciating the element Earth. In it, you'll be watching a forest. Hearing birds chirping and feeling the sun shining. These braindances don't allow you to go into photo mode or interact in any meaningful way, but you can skip them as of update 2.0. However, the point of the Zen Master quest is to pause and take a deep breath, so perhaps you should follow along too.

Stairway To Heaven - Japantown

His next location will be in South-East Japantown. Where the blue marker is on the map in the photo above, is where the Zen Master will be.

This is a little nook in the city filled with only a couple of shops and has people just hanging around and relaxing. The Zen Master will be sitting amongst them.

The closest fast-travel terminal is Redwood Market.

This is the second braindance you'll receive, and in this one, you seem to be in a similar forest, but this time there's a waterfall in front of you. Here you must give thanks to the element Water. In this braindance everything is still and refreshing, just V and the waterfall.

Poems Of Atoms - North Oak

The Zen Master will now travel to North Oak. You can travel between these locations immediately as he will instantly spawn there after giving you the braindance. North Oak seems to be a Hollywood-esque expensive hill a little out of Night City.

The large logo for North Oak is on a roundabout road. The Zen Master will be performing some meditative dance in the middle of this roundabout. An Epistrophy quest will be active here, as well.

The closest fast-travel terminal is Redwood Market or Columbarium.

In this third braindance, the Zen Master wants you to give thanks to the element of Fire. Again, you are in the same forest, but now there will be a campfire before you. The fire roars, and you can feel the heat of not only the campfire but the sun.

Meetings Along The Edge - Rancho Coronado

Last but not least, the Zen Master's last location. The last time you'll see him. This location is far out, looking beyond the city. You must go through Rancho Coronado to its edge, as in the photo above.

You must walk all the way up this desert mountain. There is only one fast travel terminal halfway; the rest of the way must be walked. The Zen Master will be sitting on an edge, taking in the view.

The closest fast-travel terminal is Tama Viewpoint.

For this last braindance and training, you are appreciating the element Air. This is why you're on top of a cliff overlooking the city. It's nothing but the sky and air meeting you. After completing this final meditation and giving thanks to all the elements, the Zen Master will leave. But this time, he leaves behind valuables for you.

Once he leaves, Johnny will be sitting next to you instead, sharing his opinions on the matter as usual. The Zen Master drops items beside you, including an altar that, once picked up, will immediately become equipped in V's apartment above the foot of your bed.

You'll also receive two pieces of literature shards, so that V may continue learning more about meditation and appreciation. These are titled Beelzebub's Tales To His Grandson and Teachings Of The Temple - Excerpts.