Weekly Schedule
| Monday | Temple is closed |
| Tuesday | 7:00 am meditation and morning service, 7:30pm meditation and vespers |
| Wednesday | 7:00 am meditation and morning service, 7pm meditation, vespers, Dharma Class |
| Thursday | 7:00 am meditation and morning service. No evening meditation. |
| Friday | No formal morning meditation or morning service. Usual Friday services, 7:30pm meditation and vespers |
| Saturday | 7:30 am meditation, 7:30pm meditation and vespers |
| Sunday | 9:30 am Meditation & Walking Meditation, usual Sunday services |
Monthly Calendar
30 minutes of meditation followed by vespers, the last ceremonial of the day. Vespers is the Chanting of The Litany of the Great Compassionate One followed by other short verses.
The Dharma discussion will be on various topics of training in the Soto Zen Tradition.
Meditation, Mid-day Service and Dharma Discussion
Work is a long standing element of practice in the Zen tradition and represents a concrete way to put practice into action in our everyday life. Working Meditation days at the Priory are a way to concentrate on and develop this aspect of practice and they are a way to give expression to generosity by helping take care of the practical elements of the life of the temple.
Meditation, walking meditation and meditation.
A family day is an opportunity for families with children to come and learn a bit about practice in a kid friendly way. The morning usually starts with a little walking meditation and some guided sitting meditation followed by a story and some activity that will allow us to explore practice in daily life. We end the morning with a snack and closing circle. Parents are encouraged to come and practice with their children.
This elaborate transfer of merit is intended for all those who have died, especially in tragic or disturbing circumstances, or who are in unfortunate states of existence. Using a special altar, prepared with many varied types of food to represent the wealth and nourishment of the Dharma, the ceremony begins with drums, cymbals and gongs played to focus our attention on doing the ceremony with care. Scriptures and invocations of Avalokitesvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) are recited as an offering of compassion, and we call upon the Buddhas and Ancestors to assist us in our efforts to help all beings in need of merit. Vegetarian food offerings, particularly a deceased relative’s favorite dish, are welcome for placing on the altar.
The ceremony will be followed by a short Dharma talk and a potluck lunch.
The Autumn 2017 edition of the Journal of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives is dedicated to exploring many facets of this important ceremony.