The teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism empower us to live our lives wholeheartedly with openness, insight and compassion. During a 2020 weekend retreat at Great Vow Monastery participants follow a silent retreat schedule, allowing everyone to temporarily put aside outside concerns and go deeply into inner work.

The silent retreat schedule includes about seven hours of sitting meditation (with breaks), Buddhist chanting services, formal oriyoki meals, and a period of community work practice. On the first evening the retreat leaders will give thorough instruction on the foundations and methods of Zen meditation. Opportunities to meet with a teacher or senior practitioner to discuss practice will be available.

This retreat is ideal for anyone wanting an introduction to intensive Zen practice or simply a day of silent sitting meditation supported by the serene atmosphere of the monastery.

These videos provide a glimpse of life at Great Vow.

Great Vow Zen Monastery is a residential community of lay and ordained people engaged in around-the-clock Buddhist practice. The practice heritage of the monastery is the Soto/Rinzai lineage of Taizan Maezumi, Roshi enriched by the teachings of the Tibetan and Theravada traditions. Abbots Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi and Hogen Bays, Roshi are the spiritual directors and head teachers of the monastery with teaching assistance from other ZCO teachers, lay and ordained. Great Vow offers residencies, retreats, and workshops that are open and available to everyone.