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ABOUT

Shasta Abbey

Founder

Houn Jiyu-Kennett

Abbess

Monastic Community

Monastic Vestments

Daily Life

Becoming a Monk

Lay Practice

Liturgy and Ceremonial

Legal and Ethical

Lay Practice
The foundations of meditation, mindfulness and keeping the Precepts benefit the individual practitioner, as well as his or her family, co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Family life is an excellent ground for training, as are relationships, workplace situations and the common interactions that make up our days. Lay practice offers the means of mindfulness in all of these situations, and provides opportunities to train in contemporary life. It is particularly helpful to connect with a Priory or Meditation Group whenever possible, coming to the Abbey, Priory or Meditation Group for a retreat, or to connect online to Dharma teaching and spiritual counseling.

pdf How To Find a Temple, Practice Group or Teacher by Rev. Master Daizui MacPhillamy

pdf Children and Meditation by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett

Meditation Lay practice is rooted in meditation. Establishing a regular time each day, and if possible, a location at home for daily meditation is most helpful. Some lay practitioners are able to set up a home altar to encourage their practice. For more on setting up a place for meditation in your home, you might read the article by Reverend Shiko Rom, Your Place of Meditation. Meditation takes many more active forms as well. Bringing the mind of meditation to walking, driving, eating, working at the computer - all forms of daily activities, helps strengthen one's lay Buddhist practice. The article on Every-minute Meditation by Reverend Daizui MacPhillamy can be helpful in establishing this practice.

pdf Every-minute Meditation by Reverend Daizui MacPhillamy

Daily Life Relationships and situations at home and at work offer daily opportunities for mindfulness and practice of the precepts. With the Precepts as our guide for expression, intention, and purpose, we can simply look, acknowledge that which arises, and relinquish our grasping it as it passes away. Coming to see Buddha Nature in all that is, in what and who we like and don’t like; learning to see with a compassionate eye and an open heart are some of the fruits of lay training in daily life. The article by Reverend Jisho Perry, Applying Meditation to Everyday Life is available for more guidance.

pdf Spiritual Simplicity by Rev. Master Daizui MacPhillamy


Generosity The spirit of dana flows throughout the practice of Serene Reflection Meditation. Offerings to and from the monastic community teach not only the spirit of generosity, but open the heart to both the giving and receiving of the teachings. Friends of Shasta Abbey (FOSA) is an organization of lay trainees established to carry forward the ancient Buddhist tradition of interdependence between the monastic and lay communities. In gratitude for the monks’ generosity in offering the Dharma, FOSA helps provide skills and resources to support and enhance monastic life at Shasta Abbey. FOSA contributes revenue from its gift shop, and the kind donations of the lay Sangha to directly benefit the monastery. FOSA also contributes practical help and professional expertise to the monastery, everything from firewood to computer problem troubleshooting. In this way, the monks, the Friends of Shasta Abbey and the entire lay Sangha work together to support each other’s spiritual training.

The Mount Shasta Congregation Shasta Abbey has a strong relationship with the local Mount Shasta community, and serves as the Buddhist Temple for the local congregation. Lay people regularly join in meditation and Morning Service at the Abbey, and often attend and help with Sunday ceremonies and festivals, including the pre-ceremony choir practice. There is an online communication network that allows sharing of information, transfer of merit requests, and opportunities to help both at the Abbey and among themselves. A Third Refuge Committee provides support in times of sickness and need. Members of the local congregation meet regularly during the monastic Term in a weekly study group with a monk from the Abbey. Dharma books by traditional and contemporary teachers provide the focus for lively discussions of bringing the practice to daily life. The Abbey provides many opportunities for local congregation members to work together in community, in shared working meditation or in offerings of general help and service in special projects. There are also opportunities to relax and share meals together, including an annual Sangha Walk. If you would like to receive the local congregation e-tree announcements or to receive the bi-weekly schedule of the Abbey's morning meditation and Morning Service times, please contact the Guestmaster.

Meditation Groups There are two meditation groups directly associated with Shasta Abbey, one in Chico (CA), the Chico Serene Reflection Meditation Group, and one near Auburn (CA) the Bear River Meditation Group. These groups of lay practitioners come together regularly for meditation, scripture recitation, listening to Dharma talks, Dharma discussion, and for Sangha support and encouragement of the practice. Monks from Shasta Abbey visit the meditation groups monthly for retreats, Dharma, and to offer spiritual counseling. Go to Links for contact information on these meditation groups.

For Further Information To explore how you can build and strengthen your practice as a lay person, please consider reading the articles, linked below, or you may contact the Guestmaster.

pdf Your Place of Meditation by Reverend Shiko Rom

pdf Applying Meditation to Everyday Life by Reverend Jisho Perry