Trust in the Heart Week-long Retreat, June 22-29, 2025
The theme for this week-long retreat, led by Rev. Master Meian, is Great Master Kanshi Sosan’s poem, “That Which is Engraved upon the Heart that Trusts to the Eternal.” It shows us how to let go of our judgements and opinions, to deepen our faith and stillness, and entrust ourselves to our True Nature, so that we may find true peace of heart in the midst of the many conditions of our lives.
“The Way to the Ultimate is not hard;
simply give up picking and choosing.
Just by not giving in to hatred and craving
will your heart and mind be as clear and bright
as the realm beyond the opposites.”
The text is on page 213 in “Buddhist Writings” translated by Rev. Hubert Nearman, and can be freely downloaded from our website.
Rev. Master Meian will offer Dharma talks and discussions as well as private spiritual counseling for each participant. This retreat is open to those with some experience of Soto Zen meditation and practice.
Lankavatara Sutra Week-long Retreat, August 17-24, 2025
Rev. Master Enya writes the following on the theme of her retreat:
“At the heart of this retreat is ‘the difference between a cup of tea (the teachings) and tasting the tea (the practice). It is not sufficient to have the cup of tea in your hand, you must taste the tea’. With this refreshing tea we nourish Bodhicitta to benefit self and other and consistently create bodhisattva behavior in our daily lives.”
Rev. Master Enya will lead the retreat sharing the Dharma to encourage participants to delve into their daily practice and explore without expectations the Lankavatara Sutra. The intention is for all of us, together, to put the teachings into practice wholeheartedly for seven days rather than a line by line commentary of this Sutra.
The retreat will include Dharma talks and discussions, as well as private spiritual counseling. It will be offered for in-person as well as online (Zoom) participation. Reading material for the retreat is The Lankavatara Sutra by Red Pine. Anyone who has been to an introductory retreat at Shasta Abbey or another OBC temple or has experience with Soto Zen training is welcome to apply.
The Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts retreat October 23-26, 2025
At the heart of this retreat is transferring the merit of our Dharma practice to those who have died in tragic and distressing circumstances, as well as the conversion of “hungry ghost” states of suffering which are the result of greed and craving. In addition to Dharma talks and discussions we celebrate the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts ceremony (Segaki), a memorial in which we offer the food of the Dharma to help bring peace to all those in need.
New Year Celebratory Retreat Dec. 29 – Jan. 1
Celebratory Retreats offer a more relaxed schedule and provide an opportunity for monks and lay trainees to practice and celebrate together. They are open to those who have been to an introductory retreat.
This three-day year-end retreat offers a time of reflection and celebration together as members of the Buddha’s family. Dharma talks will explore ways to deepen our resolve and Buddhist training in the coming year. New Year’s Eve celebrations will include a festive meal, meditation, Maitreya Vigil and our midnight New Year Ceremony,