This festival ceremony is an opportunity to pay our respects and offer gratitude in memory of the founder of our temple, Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett. Reverend Master Jiyu brought our practice to the US from Japan where she was trained and certified as a Zen Master.  She is considered the founder of the Portland Buddhist Priory since she was the teacher of those who established the temple and she gave us her support and encouragement. We established the temple in her name, the name of our teacher, as is traditional in Japan.

To learn more about Rev. Master Jiyu, go here.

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.

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.