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.

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

Meditation, walking meditation and meditation.

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.