By learning to put our entire being into our practice, we are able to realize our original nature and to carry that experience into daily life.

Sōtō Zen Buddhism or the Sōtō school is the largest of the three traditional sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.

Buddhism originated in India more than 2,500 years ago. A prince named Siddhartha Gautama had tried many spiritual paths without satisfaction, until one day, while sitting in meditation, he came to a profound realization of the nature of existence. He was thereafter known as the Buddha, the “Awakened One”.

SokukoJi Buddhist Monastery is a spiritual meditation community, under the guidance of Kyoun Sokuzan, a transmitted priest in the Soto school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. SokukoJi works with people in drug rehab centers, does volunteer work in MDOC prisons, and supports whomever needs it regardless of background or religious affiliation. The Soto Zen Buddhist Association is a professional organization of Soto Zen priests. A community for those interested in the Buddhist tradition of Zen, in which we can share, discuss and practice the teachings as well as support each other.

1. The Certificate in Sōtō Zen Buddhist Studies is intended for two types of students: (1) IBS degree (MA, MBS, or MDIV) program students who wish to demonstrate substantive knowledge of Sōtō Zen history, teachings and practice; and (2) students from outside the IBS, particularly Sōtō Zen priests, lay and monastic teachers and students, who wish to enhance their engagement with the tradition and their communities through systemic graduate level study.
2. Zen Buddhism Wales meets in person and online to practise Zen meditation in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. Our guiding teacher is the Reverend Zenho Taikyo, a Soto Zen Buddhist priest in the lineage of Nishijima Roshi, and a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of.

Buddhism spread from India to China, then to Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. Early in our century, Japanese masters began to bring its teachings to Europe and the United States.

Soto Zen is one of the major sects of Zen Buddhism. The Soto Zen tradition emphasizes the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation, and individual effort. By learning to put our entire being into our practice, we are able to realize our original nature and to carry that experience into daily life.

For an in-depth Introduction to Soto Zen, read the introductory chapter of the same name in The Kyosaku, a collection of essays from Matsuoka-roshi.

WELCOME TO SHASTA ABBEY

Shasta Abbey is a Buddhist monastery in the Serene Reflection Meditation (Soto Zen) Tradition. A monastery of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives, it was founded by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett in the name of her Teacher, the Venerable Keido Chisan Koho, in 1970 as a training place for Buddhist monks, male and female, and a place of practice for lay people. We offer the Dharma – the Buddha’s Teaching – to all who wish to come. Please see our Visiting page.

The monastery, located near the town of Mount Shasta in Northern California, offers retreats, ceremonies, teaching and spiritual counseling, as well as the opportunity to train within a monastic schedule. This website offers Dharma Talks, scriptures and religious writings that you will find in the Teachings Section as well as information on the life of the Four-fold Sangha throughout these pages. We welcome your interest, comments, and feedback.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 3, 2021 Update

Dear Friends,

Due to the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus and in compliance with public health directives, Shasta Abbey is staying closed for in-person visits through at least the end of July, 2021. We are, however, continuing to offer online teachings and retreats during this closed period. We are certainly considering how it might be possible to gradually open the monastery at some time in the future and we will keep you informed on this page.

For those who are new to our monastery and Soto Zen practice, we are continuing to offer a series of online introductory classes every month. If you would like to be on the emailing list to join these classes via Zoom, please contact the Guestmaster at guestmaster@shastaabbey.org. The following is a link to the previous classes that we offered in 2020: Introduction to Serene Reflection Buddhist Practice. Since we have had to cancel our previously scheduled weekend Introductory Retreats through June, we will instead be offering online day retreats. The dates for these Saturday retreats are: June 5. If you are interested in participating, please feel welcome to apply: application form

We will continue to post, on the right side of this page, video and audio recordings of Sunday Dharma talks. You are all most welcome to call us to just chat or for spiritual counseling at any time. Please feel free to leave a message at ext. 305 (530-926-4208) or email guestmaster@shastaabbey.org. Transfer of merit requests are welcome at ext. 319 or by email at: sacristy@shastaabbey.org.

All of the Abbey monks are well at present, thankfully. We continue our daily meditation and training schedule, as always. We thank you for your patience and generous support as we continue to safeguard everyone’s health and well-being during this challenging time. May you all stay healthy and be at peace.

Soto Zen Buddhism Beliefs

Soto Zen Buddhism International Center

With very best wishes from the Shasta Abbey monastic community