Welcome to the Chico Serene Reflection Meditation Group
The
Chico Serene Reflection Meditation Group is a fellowship of Buddhists
affiliated with Shasta Abbey, a monastery in Mt. Shasta, California.
The monastery was established in 1970 by Reverend Master P.T.N.H.
Jiyu-Kennett, an Englishwoman who was a certified Zen Master and who
trained at one of the two head temples of the Sōtō Zen
Church in Japan. She died in 1996, and her successor as Abbot of
Shasta Abbey is Reverend Master Eko Little, one of her senior
disciples.
Our practice is Serene Reflection Meditation, known as Sōtō Zen in Japan. In this tradition, all beings are assumed to have original enlightenment, or Buddha Nature, and this true nature is realized by earnestly following the Buddhist Precepts, practicing mindfulness and compassion in daily life, and meditation. The Chico Meditation Group practices this tradition together through meditation, ceremonial, and learning about the Dharma—the body of Buddhist thought and practice. As part of its affiliation with
Shasta Abbey, the Chico Meditation Group receives guidance from experienced monks. About once each month, an Abbey monk visits the group to present a Dharma talk and to lead ceremonies and meditation. About four times each year, one or more of the monks visits to lead a Saturday retreat in Chico. Members of the group also go to Shasta Abbey—about 150 miles north—for a day visit, for several days, or longer periods of concentrated training. For lay Buddhists living ordinary, busy lives in the world, the resource of monks and a nearby monastery for deep, sustained immersion in the Buddhist life is invaluable to training. The relationship between Shasta Abbey and local groups like the Chico Meditation Group is one of mutual support for training in Buddhism.
Shasta Abbey is one of two Abbeys, a number of priories and many affiliated meditation groups in North America and Europe, of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives, a Western religious order in the Serene Reflection Meditation (Sōtō Zen) tradition practiced in Japan since the twelfth century. The Order was founded in 1973 by Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett.
Our Meetings
We meet each Wednesday evening at 7:00 for meditation and a brief ceremony. The ceremony is the same as that practiced each evening at Shasta Abbey. When monks are present, there is also a Dharma talk and an opportunity for private spiritual counseling. The monks offer meditation instruction to beginners. We cordially invite newcomers and visitors to come any time to learn about our practice.
What is Serene Reflection Meditation?
To quote Great Master Dogen, the founder of the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition in Japan:
“All
you have to do is cease from erudition, withdraw within and reflect
upon yourself.
Should you be able to cast off body and mind
naturally, the Buddha Mind will immediately manifest itself;
if
you want to find it quickly, you must start at once.”
(From “Rules for Meditation” in The Monastic Office, Mt. Shasta, California: Shasta Abbey Press, 1993, pp. 77-80.)
Although our form of meditation practice is very simple, it is best if one learns it directly from a qualified teacher rather than from books. Meditating and training with others is also very helpful in encouraging us to continue, and to put the Teaching of the Buddha into practice in our daily lives.
How Can I Learn More? To inquire about Chico Serene Reflection Meditation Group e-mail our coordinators at ChicoSRM@yahoo.com .
More information about our tradition is available on the Internet:
The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives: http://www.obcon.org
Shasta Abbey in Mount Shasta, Ca: http://www.shastaabbey.org
Shasta Abbey's Buddha Hall and Monks-2005
Abbey phone: (530) 926-4208 e-mail: guestmaster@shastaabbey.org