Since the teaching of compassion is fundamentally important in Buddhism, in many Zen temples each day begins with a ceremony for the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshwara or Kanzeon. Our Kanzeon ceremony is a variation of our morning service, emphasizing the scripture of Avalokiteshwara, a chapter of the Lotus sutra.

Meditation and the ceremony are followed by tea and a Dharma discussion.

Around New Years, it is traditional to spend a little time at the temple reflecting on the past year and setting our intention for the coming year. For New Years Eve at the priory, we will have some extra periods of meditation interspersed with walking meditation beginning at 7pm. Meditation will be followed by a New Years Ceremony at 9:30pm, ringing the temple bell and a festive tea. You are welcome to join us at any time during the evening. The evening will end at about 10:30pm.

Around New Years, it is traditional to spend a little time at the temple reflecting on the past year and setting our intention for the coming year. Because of covid-19, we will be broadcasting our usual ceremony and tea via Zoom and invite you to participate from home.

We will start the evening at 7pm with some extra periods of meditation interspersed with walking meditation.

As usual, we will start our Zoom broadcast after meditation with the New Years Ceremony at 9:30pm and a festive tea. You are welcome to join us at any time during the evening. The evening will end at about 10:30pm.

We will use our usual Sunday link or meeting ID. If you would like to join us, please contact the temple for more information or to get the zoom link.

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.