Guests are most welcome to visit the Abbey on most Sundays. Please see our monthly calendar for Sunday events: https://shastaabbey.org/calendar/. We will offer a short tour and orientation to the event for newcomers beginning at 9:45 am. Our monastery is currently not open during the week for tours and drop-in visits. Please feel free to contact the Guestmaster for further information at 530-926-4208, ext. 305.
SUNDAY SERVICES
Sundays offer opportunities to visit the monastery. Most Sundays we have a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. that involves incense offering, chanting of scriptures and invocations. After the ceremony there is a public Dharma Talk. If you are coming for the first time, please call 530-926-4208, ext. 305 or email the Guestmaster in advance so that we can meet you at our Visitors Gate (#4).
We sometimes have a Meditation Sunday when monks, lay congregation members and visitors sit in meditation in the Buddha Hall for a 40 minute meditation period. Meditation Sundays are noted on our monthly calendar. If you are coming for one of these Sundays for the first time, please contact the Guestmaster and plan to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for the meditation instruction.
INTRODUCTORY RETREATS
Introductory Retreats offer an opportunity to learn about and practice Serene Reflection Meditation (Soto Zen) in a monastic setting. The retreat also provides teachings on basic Buddhist principles and Precepts, including down-to-earth suggestions for taking this practice into one’s daily life. Please go to Retreats for more information, and to our 2024 Calendar for retreat dates.