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Dharma ChakraSunday, February 5, 2012 10:30 am Festival of the Buddha's Renunciation After seeing the Four Sights the answer Siddhartha Gautama left his palace, wife and child, and position in life to seek the answer to the question of suffering. As the Offerttory for today's Festival says "...after seeing these sights He knew that luxury was fleeting and that death must come to all, so He decided to renounce his kingdom and family in order to seek for the Truth that would save all beings...", and in doing so became Shakyamuni Buddha.

Dharma ChakraFriday - Sunday, February 10 - 12, 2012 Introductory Retreat
Introductory Retreats begin to provide some answers to the questions that bring us to Buddhist practice. These retreats offer guests new to Shasta Abbey an introduction to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. They provide down-to-earth suggestions for taking this practice into one's daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma talks and informal discussions with time for your questions. There is also the opportunity for private spiritual counseling. If you are coming to stay at Shasta Abbey for the first time or are new to our practice, we ask that you attend an Introductory Retreat before signing up for any of the other retreats on our schedule. Please complete the online Retreat Application Form or download the application form in pdf and return it by mail, fax, or email. Should you have any questions please contact the Guestmaster or see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page that might answer some of your questions or concerns.

Dharma ChakraSunday, February 12, 2012 10:30 am Festival of the Buddha's Parinirvana
According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta of the Pali canon, at the age of 80, the Buddha entered Parinirvana, leaving his earthly body. His final words, as we sing them in our Processional today, were said to be: Quickly seek your liberation. Be a lamp unto yourself. Always seek to get back on the Path.

Dharma ChakraTuesday, February 14, 2012 10:30 am Renewal of Vows Ceremony

Dharma ChakraSaturday, February 18, 2012 7:00 am Vigil of the Festival of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva

Dharma ChakraSunday, February 19, 2012 10:30 am Festival of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva
Avalokiteshwara (Kuan Yin in Chinese, Kanzeon in Japanese) is the Bodhisattva who hears the cries of the world, the Bodhisattva who is the embodiment of compassion.

Dharma ChakraTuesday - Thursday, February 21 - 23, 2012 Silent Meditation Retreat
The focus of this retreat is very much on meditation: there are six or seven periods of meditation each day. Meals are eaten in silence. There are no Dharma talks or spiritual counseling. Monks are asked to put aside monastic office responsibilities as much as possible to go deeply into the heart of meditation. Lay participants likewise are invited to deepen their meditation in this quiet and reflective time. Committed practitioners who have spent time at the Abbey may consult the Guestmaster about attending a Three Day Meditation Retreat.

Dharma ChakraSaturday, February 25, 2012 7:00 am Vigil of the Festival of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Dharma ChakraSunday, February 26, 2012 10:30 am Festival of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Samantabhadra (Fugen in Japanese)) is the Bodhisattv of universal goodnessa and loving kindness.

Dharma ChakraWednesday, February 29, 2012 10:30 am Renewal of Vows Ceremony

Dharma ChakraFriday - Sunday, March 2 - 4, 2012 Introductory Retreat
Introductory Retreats begin to provide some answers to the questions that bring us to Buddhist practice. These retreats offer guests new to Shasta Abbey an introduction to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. They provide down-to-earth suggestions for taking this practice into one's daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma talks and informal discussions with time for your questions. There is also the opportunity for private spiritual counseling. If you are coming to stay at Shasta Abbey for the first time or are new to our practice, we ask that you attend an Introductory Retreat before signing up for any of the other retreats on our schedule. Please complete the online Retreat Application Form or download the application form in pdf and return it by mail, fax, or email. Should you have any questions please contact the Guestmaster or see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page that might answer some of your questions or concerns.

Dharma ChakraSunday, March 4, 2012 10:30 am Transfer of Merit Ceremony
Parinamana (Sanskrit) may be rendered as 'transfer of merit' or 'dedication' and involves the transfer of merit as a cause to bring about an effect. Merit (Sanskrit pu?ya, P?li puñña)is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts or thoughts and that carries over to later in life or to a person's next life. Such merit contributes to a person's growth towards liberation.

Dharma ChakraSaturday, March 10, 2012 11:00 am Shurangama Ceremony

Dharma ChakraSunday, March 10, 2012    To be announced

Dharma ChakraTuesday - Thursday, March 13 -15, 2012 Silent Meditation Retreat
The focus of this retreat is very much on meditation: there are six or seven periods of meditation each day. Meals are eaten in silence. There are no Dharma talks or spiritual counseling. Monks are asked to put aside monastic office responsibilities as much as possible to go deeply into the heart of meditation. Lay participants likewise are invited to deepen their meditation in this quiet and reflective time. Committed practitioners who have spent time at the Abbey may consult the Guestmaster about attending a Three Day Meditation Retreat.

Dharma ChakraSunday, March 18, 2012 10:30 am Festival of the Spring Equinox

Dharma ChakraMarch 25 – April 1 Keeping of the Ten Precepts (Jukai) Retreat
All things, earth, trees, wooden posts, bricks and stones, become Buddhas one this Refuge is taken. From these Precepts come forth such a wind and fire that all are driven into enlightenment when the flames are fanned by the Buddha's influence. This is the merit of non-action and non-seeking, the awakening to True Wisdom.     from Great Master Dogen's Shushogi

The annual tradition of Jukai at Shasta Abbey is an opportunity to formally become a Buddhist or to renew one's commitment. Monks and laity participate in five solemn and beautiful ceremonies over the course of a week of meditation and Dharma talks, clarifying what it means to receive and live the Buddhist Precepts.Please contact the Guestmaster with any questions you have about taking the Precepts of attending the Keeping of the Ten Precepts (Juka) Retreati. Dharma Talks and articles on the meaning of the Precepts and Becoming a Buddhist are available here.

Dharma ChakraSunday, March 8, 2012 10:30 am Festival of Manjusri Bodhisattva
Manjusri (Gentle Glory) is the bodhisattva who personifies meditation and great wisdom (prajna). He is usually depicted sitting in meditation on a lion (representing the wild self which meditation transforms) and is often shown holding the sword of Budda's Wisdom which cuts through all delusion. Statues of him sitting on the beast of self are found in Zen meditation halls.

Dharma ChakraFriday - Sunday, April 13 -15, 2012 Introductory Retreat
Introductory Retreats begin to provide some answers to the questions that bring us to Buddhist practice. These retreats offer guests new to Shasta Abbey an introduction to the Serene Reflection (Soto Zen) practice in a monastic setting. They provide down-to-earth suggestions for taking this practice into one's daily life outside the monastery gates. Within the monastic schedule, and in silence as much as possible, Introductory Retreats offer meditation instruction, short periods of seated meditation, Dharma talks and informal discussions with time for your questions. There is also the opportunity for private spiritual counseling. If you are coming to stay at Shasta Abbey for the first time or are new to our practice, we ask that you attend an Introductory Retreat before signing up for any of the other retreats on our schedule. Please complete the online Retreat Application Form or download the application form in pdf and return it by mail, fax, or email. Should you have any questions please contact the Guestmaster or see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page that might answer some of your questions or concerns.

Dharma ChakraTuesday, April 24 through Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Monastic Retreat   The Monastery is closed, though you are welcome to join us for Meditation and Morning Service during this time.