The 11th Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering
Shasta Abbey, Mount Shasta, California
September 26 - 30, 2005
Theme: "Monastic Practice"
Who Attended: Westerners ordained as monks and nuns in the Buddhist tradition and leading a
celibate lifestyle. People of all races were welcome. The word 'Westerner' was used to specify
those who were brought up in a non-Buddhist society and have special challenges trying to live as a
monk or nun in Western culture.
Purpose: To create ties of friendship amongst sangha members who are often living on their own
or in communities where they are isolated either by ordination or by culture. During these
gatherings we learn from each other and have a relaxing time-out in a supportive monastic
environment.
Photos: By Thich Nu Chon-Duc and Kusala Bhikshu
Special Thanks: To Rev. Meian and Ven. Drimay for coordinating this year's event, and to Rev. Eko
and the monk's of Shasta Abbey for their kindness and support.
Shasta Abbey: is a Buddhist monastery established in 1970 by the late Abbess, Rev. Master
Jiyu-Kennett, who died on November 6, 1996. Rev. Kennett studied in Japan from 1962 until 1969
and was the disciple of the Very Rev. Keido Chisan Koho Zenji, formerly the Chief Abbot of
Daihonzan Sojiji Head Temple (1957-1967). She received Dharma Transmission from him in 1963.
In accord with Koho Zenji's wishes, Rev. Kennett returned to the West in 1969 in order to teach
and train Western disciples in the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition.
This tradition, known as Ts'ao-Tung Ch'an in China and Soyo Zen in Japan, traces its history back
to the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The master-disciple lineage was carried by the Indian monk
Bodhidharma to China in the 6th century C.E. (Common Era) and spread widely under the influence
of the Sixth Chinese Ancestor, Hui Neng. The lineage was continued on to Japan through the
efforts of the young Japanese monk Eihei Dogen in the 13th century and further developed by
Keizan Jokin a century later. Although certain external forms were adapted to each culture as
this branch of Mahayana Buddhism moved from India to China to Japan and now to the West, the
essence of the Buddhist teaching remains unchanged. The Buddhist training at Shasta Abbey
preserves both the teachings and the spirit of this enduring tradition while presenting them in a
contemporary Western context.
2005 Western Buddhist Monastic Conference
September 23-30
Monday
Afternoon - Arrivals
5:15 PM - Medicine Meal
7:00 PM - Opening Session in Buddha Hall
9:15 PM - Lights Out
Tuesday
6:00 AM - Rising
6:30 AM - Meditation
7:15 AM - Morning Service in Buddha Hall
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:30 AM - Presentation - Rev. Eko - "Living in the Meditation Hall"
10:30 AM - Small Group Break Out and Discussion
Noon - Main Meal Offering
3:00 PM - Presentation - Rev. Heng Sure - "Sudhana’s Pilgrimage"
4:00 PM - Small Group Break Out and Discussion
5:15 PM - Medicine Meal
7:45 PM - Meditation and Evening Office
9:15 PM - Lights Out
Wednesday
6:00 AM - Rising
6:30 AM - Meditation
7:15 AM - Morning Service in Buddha Hall
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:30 AM - Presentation - Ven. Thubten Chodron - "Sadhana Practice"
10:30 AM - Small Group Break Out and Discussion
Noon - Main Meal Offering
Afternoon - Field Trip to a Local Lake
7:00 PM - Shurangama Cermony with the Shasta Abbey Community
9:15 PM - Lights Out
Thursday
6:00 AM - Rising
6:30 AM - Meditation
7:15 AM - Morning Service in Buddha Hall
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:30 AM - Presentation - Ajahn Amaro - "Ascetic Practice/The Dhutangas"
10:30 AM - Small Group Break Out and Discussion
Noon - Main Meal Offering
3:00 PM - Presentation - Ven. Palzang - "The Practice of Serving Others"
4:00 PM - Small Group Break Out and Discussion
5:15 PM - Medicine Meal
7:00 PM - Rev. Heng Sure and Rev. Kusala Bhikshu - "Music in the Dharma"
(Also See) - Rev. Heng Sure - "Dedication of Merit"
9:15 PM - Lights Out
Friday
6:00 AM - Rising
6:30 AM - Meditation
7:15 AM - Morning Service in Buddha Hall
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:30 AM - Closing Session and Dedication
Noon - Main Meal Offering
Conference Ends