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July 28 – August 1
Meditation Retreat
“Just sitting” — meditation — is one of the pillars of Soto Zen Buddhism.
It is a powerful means of transforming the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion in order to bring compassion, love, and wisdom to our daily lives. This retreat provides formal meditation periods throughout the day, as well as opportunities to ask questions about your meditation posture and practice
Meditation Retreat Schedule
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August 15 – 22
The Platform Sutra Retreat
The Platform Sutra is one of the central sutras in the Zen tradition. It is the only Chinese text that bears the designation "sutra". It presents the life and work of Great Master Hui-neng, the Sixth Chinese Ancestor in our Ancestral Line. His teaching has direct relevance for us in our practice today: our task is simply to recognize our own True Nature, and to accept and cherish our own Buddhahood. Working with several translations, particularly Red Pine's The Platform Sutra: The Zen Teaching of Hui-neng (2006), Rev. Master Daishin Yalon will explore its teaching and its meaning for our contemporary practice. Rev. Master Daishin will also offer evening Dharma discussions, as well as private religious counseling for each participant.
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September 3 – 5
Introductory Retreat
What is Serene Reflection Meditation? And how is it helpful in meeting the demands of daily life? How important is it in the practice of Buddhism? An Introductory Retreat introduces guests new to Shasta Abbey to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. It provides down-to-earth help for taking this practice back into daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma Talks and informal discussions with time for questions. The retreat concludes with an informal tea for retreat guests, monks and our local congregation. |
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October 22 – 24
Introductory Retreat
What is Serene Reflection Meditation? And how is it helpful in meeting the demands of daily life? How important is it in the practice of Buddhism? An Introductory Retreat introduces guests new to Shasta Abbey to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. It provides down-to-earth help for taking this practice back into daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma Talks and informal discussions with time for questions. The retreat concludes with an informal tea for retreat guests, monks and our local congregation. |
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October 29 – November 1
Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts Retreat
The teaching of the importance of offering merit is at the heart of this retreat. In the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts Ceremony, we offer the food of the Dharma to those who have died under painful, difficult or despairing circumstances. We will also examine how we can convert our own craving and greed through the practice of the Dharma. On November 1, we celebrate the Festival of the Founder, the Very Reverend Keido Chisan Koho who, as Reverend Master Jiyu’s Transmission Master, is honored as the Founder of Shasta Abbey. |
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November 19 – 21
Introductory Retreat
What is Serene Reflection Meditation? And how is it helpful in meeting the demands of daily life? How important is it in the practice of Buddhism? An Introductory Retreat introduces guests new to Shasta Abbey to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. It provides down-to-earth help for taking this practice back into daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma Talks and informal discussions with time for questions. The retreat concludes with an informal tea for retreat guests, monks and our local congregation.
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December 29, 2010 - January 1, 201
New Year Celebratory Retreat
We invite you to join us for this retreat of meditation, ceremonies and celebration when we gather together as members of the Buddha’s family to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year. During this retreat, we reflect on and offer gratitude to the Buddhas and Ancestors for their teaching and help in the past year and we ask for their continued help in the year to come.
After our potluck on New Year’s Eve, we meditate and hold a Vigil for Maitreya, the Buddha Who is to Come, as well as the midnight New Year’s Ceremony, followed by ringing in the New Year with the great bell. The retreat ends on January 1, and you are welcome to stay overnight until January 2. |
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