Is the monastery open to the public?
Yes, with the exception of two ten-day periods when we hold our monastic Searching of the Heart retreat, and during the entire month of January, we welcome visitors to the monastery. We ask, however, that you first contact the Guestmaster by email or by phone (530-926-4208 extension 305) to make arrangements for your visit.
Is it possible to have a tour of the Abbey grounds?
Yes, this is a good introduction to the Abbey. Currently we offer tours on Sunday mornings only. Please email the Guestmaster or call 530-926-4208 extension 305–a day ahead of time to make arrangements for your visit.
The Abbey has four gates. Which one should I use when I come to visit or on a retreat?
Please come to the Visitors’ Gate (Gate 4) which is at the Vimalakirti Hall, our Guest House. This large red gate is the fourth gate on the right if you are coming up Summit Drive from the South, or the first gate on your left is you are coming from the North on Summit Drive. This Gate is easily identified by the large granite rock with the words Shasta Abbey carved in red.
I don’t know much about Buddhism. What should I know before I come either for a visit or for a retreat?
Don’t worry. There’s no requirement for study prior to visiting the Abbey. If you’re interested, please feel free to look at some of our publications or listen to some introductory talks. When attending a retreat, just come with an open heart and a willingness to follow the schedule.
What time should I arrive at the monastery for an Introductory Retreat?
Please plan to arrive between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. unless you have made other arrangements with the Guestmaster.
What does it cost to stay at the Abbey for a retreat? or as a lay resident?
We do not charge fees. The monastery functions entirely on donations – dana offerings. Your prudent generosity and support allow us to continue to be able to offer the Dharma to others. Even the smallest offering helps.
What is a traditional offering to bring to a monastery?
Traditionally the Four Requisites for monks are food, medicines, clothing and shelter. We are grateful for any offerings that allow us to continue to support the monastic community and to be able to offer the Dharma to others. Please check our Alms List or talk with the Guestmaster to find out about our current needs.
If I come for a retreat, will I have a room of my own?
Generally, we are able to offer each visitor to stay in their own room. On rare occasions, depending on the size of the retreat you are coming to, those who are physically able to do so may be asked to share a room. If there are reasons you feel you need a private room, please contact the Guestmaster. Those reasons might include loud snoring or medical conditions.
Is there a private bath in my room?
No. There is one nearby. If there are reasons you should be in a room close to the bathroom, please contact the Guestmaster.
Do we have to bring our own bedding or linens?
We are asking all guests to bring their own sheets and towels. We appreciate your effort, and also understand that those traveling by air may not be able to do so. Sheets would include top and bottom sheets and a pillowcase (or 2 pillowcases, if you need more than one pillow). Beds are twin-sized, but it’s fine to bring any size sheets. Please do not bring a sleeping bag. We will provide blankets and pillows. You may want to bring your own orthopedic pillow if you use one. The towels would be a bath towel, wash cloth and hand towel.
What should I wear at the Abbey?
We ask that, out of respect for the monastic community, you dress modestly – please, no tank tops, shorts or tight leggings with short tops, shirts with slogans, tank tops, shorts or tight fitting slacks. For meditation it is good to wear loose fitting clothing, and to dress neatly and respectfully. To accommodate the variable Mount Shasta weather, we advise that you dress in layers.
Why should I bring work clothes when attending a retreat?
Working meditation is a part of our way of life. It often involves outdoor work. If you have any difficulty in doing the assigned working meditation, or if there are health considerations we should be aware of, please talk to the Guestmaster.
I experience discomfort when I sit cross legged – are there other options for meditation?
Besides the traditional meditation cushion (zafu), options for meditation here at the Abbey include sitting on a meditation bench or a chair with a wedge. We have further accomodations for those with back problems.
What if I have food allergies?
Within our vegetarian diet, we can usually provide alternatives for those with serious medical food allergies. Please advise the Guestmaster of your allergies. We cannot offer a strictly vegan or other special diet during retreats. Some vegan foods are offered at most meals.
What if I’m lactose intolerant?
Our kitchen regularly offers soy milk and soy-based products. Please advise the Guestmaster of your need in this regard.
What if I’m hard of hearing?
We have a Williams Sound Hearing Assistance System for Dharma Talks and discussions in the Buddha Hall.
May I bring a service dog?
Please talk to the Guestmaster about this.
With the Abbey buildings so spread out, I’m not sure I can walk the distances. Can I still participate in a retreat?
We have wheelchairs and walkers available if necessary. Please talk to the Guestmaster to make arrangements for this.
I’m used to walking or exercising regularly. Are there provisions for walking? or yoga?
With 17 acres to care for we do a lot of outside work that provides a very good workout. And there are paths for walking on the monastery grounds. One can do yoga or other exercises in one’s room during rest periods in the schedule. Please talk to the Guestmaster if you have a particular need in this regard.
I have a large group of students interested in visiting the monastery. What should I do?
We welcome groups interested in visiting the monastery. Please contact the Guestmaster in advance to make arrangements for your visit.
I have a large group of friends who would like to come with me. What should I do?
We welcome groups interested in visiting the monastery. Please contact the Guestmaster in advance to make arrangements for your visit.
I just wish to visit the monastery grounds. Is this possible?
We ask that you contact the Guestmaster in advance to make arrangements for your visit.
Does the monastery offer programs for young people?
We welcome young people in our scheduled retreats and ceremonies. If you would like to come to a retreat and are under 18, you will need parental permission. If you would like to come to a retreat and are under 16, please contact the Guestmaster as well. Children of all ages are welcome to attend ceremonies, Dharma talks, teas, and tours with their parents.
Are there any age limits for those attending retreats?
We ask that young people under the age of 18 have parental consent for their stay at the Abbey. There is no upper age limit.
Is there a “Sunday School” for children?
We offer occasional Dharma Classes for children, usually on Sundays. Please contact the Guestmaster for further information.
Can I come to a retreat with my girlfriend/boyfriend?
You are welcome to attend a retreat together. We ask that each person submit their own application, and that you individually take the opportunity to enter into the retreat schedule in silence throughout the weekend. A monastery is not a place to pursue a romantic relationship. We are not able to accomodate couples in one room.
Can I share a room with my spouse or partner? Our Guesthouse does not have rooms for couples.
Can I attend a retreat if I practice in a different Buddhist Tradition?
You are welcome to come, and we ask that you follow our Serene Reflection practice while you are here.
Can I do a private retreat at the Abbey?
Sorry, no. We cannot accommodate private retreats. Training together during a retreat is an important part of our practice. It is through training with others that we learn and have the opportunity to practice the Four Wisdoms.
Can I park my car on the grounds?
Yes, you can park within the monastery gates. Carpools are appreciated.
If I come by bus for an Introductory Retreat, can someone pick me up at the bus station?
Yes. The Greyhound bus stops in Weed, CA, a town about 4 miles away. Please phone or email the Guestmaster before starting your travel to arrange to meet us either at the bus station or another location during business hours.
The Greyhound bus from the South (“‘Redding to Medford, OR”) will stop in Weed at around 1:30 am. The Greyhound bus from the North (“Medford to Redding”) will stop in Weed around 3:00 pm, on its way to Redding, California.
If I come by train, can someone pick me up at the train station?
Yes. The Amtrak train stops in Dunsmuir, CA, about 20 miles away; we would be glad to meet you in Dunsmuir during business hours.
Trains
–from the north, are scheduled to arrive in Dunsmuir about 12:30 a.m.
–from the south, are scheduled to arrive about 5 a.m.
The Dunsmuir station has an outdoor waiting porch, and part-time hours for the indoor facility. When the train arrives during the night (the 12:30 am train), people often arrange to stay at a motel in Dunsmuir for the night. Please contact the Guestmaster before starting your travel to make arrangements for pick up.
What airports are closest to the Abbey?
There are airports in Redding, CA (60 miles south of Mount Shasta) and Medford, OR (89 miles north of Mount Shasta). Please arrange to make travel connections (such as car rental, Greyhound, Lyft or Uber; ) from these towns to Weed, CA where we can pick you up at a pre-arranged time.
Note:
The “Medford OR to Redding, CA” Greyhound bus from the North stops in Weed, in mid-afternoon.
The “Redding Ca to Medford, OR” Greyhound bus from the South stops in Weed, in the middle of the night. The monastery cannot provide a ride during the night.
Can I use my cell phone? my computer? my pda?
During your retreat at the Abbey we ask you to put aside the use of internet access, pdas, and cell phones. To aid your meditation practice is very helpful to miminize digital distractions. Please talk to the Guestmaster if there is reason to use any of these items.
Can I take notes during talks?
Yes, and sometimes it is good to simply listen.
What if English is not my first language?
Dharma Talks, instructions and spiritual counseling are offered in English, so a basic understanding of English is necessary.
Can we talk at meals?
During retreats our meals are eaten in silence. During non-retreat times there are both formal (silent) and informal (talking) meals.
Do we keep silence ALL THE TIME?
During retreats we do our best to keep the mind of meditation in all our activities. We try to keep a mindful attitude in all we do. There will be times for discussion and questions about the practice during your stay. It is a kindness to give each other the gift of silence during retreats. The retreat ends with a social tea on Sunday.
I hear you have a lot of ceremonies at the Abbey. Is ceremonial a big part of Zen practice?
Buddhist liturgy and ceremonial, including chanting, singing and bowing are an important aspect of our practice, and are considered to be “meditation in action”. Why Do Ceremonial? an article by Rev. Master Meian Elbert may be helpful to you in answering this question.