Refuge Retreats Throughout the year we offer Refuge Retreats that focus on the fundamentals of Buddhism, meditation and contemporary practice. They include periods of seated meditation, working meditation, ceremonies and chanting, silent meals and time for quiet reflection and individual practice.
Refuge Retreats are open to those who have attended retreats at Shasta Abbey or at a temple of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives.
Please check the calendar or contact the Guestmaster with any questions you have about future Refuge or Celebratory Retreats and complete the Retreat Application Form if you would like to attend one of the coming retreats.
2010 Refuge Retreats
Mindful of the Earth: Buddhist Teachings on Respecting the Natural World April 15 – 18, 2010
Buddhism is rooted in respect for the natural world, and thrives on an economy of giving, wasting nothing, using all to the fullest. This retreat explores ways in which the spiritual training of a Buddhist prepares us to face today’s challenges to the earth. It asks how meditation, mindfulness and the Precepts can be brought to our lives so that we can respond positively and brightly, in the face of fear, worry, frustration, and even grief regarding our natural world. The retreat ends with our celebration of Earth Day. Meditation Retreat July 28 – August 1, 2010
“Just sitting” — meditation — is one of the pillars of Soto Zen Buddhism.
It is a powerful means of transforming the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion in order to bring compassion, love, and wisdom to our daily lives. This retreat provides formal meditation periods throughout the day, as well as opportunities to ask questions about your meditation posture and practice.
Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts Retreat October 29 – November 1
The teaching of the importance of offering merit is at the heart of this retreat. In the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts Ceremony, we offer the food of the Dharma to those who have died under painful, difficult or despairing circumstances. We will also examine how we can convert our own craving and greed through the practice of the Dharma.
On November 1, we celebrate the Festival of the Founder, the Very Reverend Keido Chisan Koho, Reverend Master Jiyu’s Master, the Founder of Shasta Abbey.