Please see the events calendar for up-to-date information on specific events happening over the next few weeks.
The starting time given for an event is when the meditation period begins, so it is helpful to arrive 10 or 15 minutes earlier.
Tuesday evening – Basic Buddhism Evening, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Evening Service, two meditation periods (20 and 15 minutes), with walking meditation, followed by tea, with a Dharma talk and discussion. This evening is particularly suitable for anyone who is not very familiar with Zen Buddhism. More information can be found here.
Wednesday evening – Dharma Evening, 7.30pm – 9.15pm
Evening Service, meditation (30 minutes) and Vespers, followed by tea, with a Dharma talk and discussion. The Dharma talk usually focusses on a scripture and so this evening is more suitable for people who have some experience of Buddhist practice.
Thursday evening – Dharma Evening, 7.30pm – 9.15pm
Evening Service and meditation (30 minutes), followed by tea, with a recorded Dharma talk and a discussion. This evening is suitable for anyone who has been introduced to our practice.
Saturday
Introductory Afternoon, 2.30pm – 4.30pm, one Saturday each month
Afternoon Retreat, 2.15pm – 4.30pm
On one Saturday each month, there is an Afternoon Retreat. These short retreats offer three meditation periods, as well as tea and discussion.
2.15pm Meditation x2, with walking meditation
3.30pm Tea and discussion
4.00pm Meditation
4.30pm Retreat ends
Meditation and Contemplation Day, 10.00am – 5.45pm
On two Saturdays each month, there is a silent day, with meditation on the hour every hour (35 minutes, then 10 minutes of walking meditation, followed by 15 minutes’ break). There is the option to sit out any of the meditation periods and read or contemplate in the common room. At 5.00pm, there is evening service, followed by meditation until 5.45pm.
You are welcome to come for as long as suits you – this offers the opportunity to schedule your own retreat. It is helpful if you can arrive or leave during the 15 minute break before each hour. If you’d like to have lunch here (the lunch break is 1.00pm – 2.00pm), please bring a packed lunch.
Sunday
The schedules for the Sundays each month are usually as follows, but please see the events calendar to find out what is happening on any specific Sunday morning. If you aren’t able to make it to the first meditation period at 9.30am, you are welcome to join us for the second meditation or for the ceremony.
Sangha Morning with Avalokiteshwara Ceremony, 9.30am – 12.30pm
9.30am Meditation
10.00am Meditation
10.35am Avalokiteshwara ceremony and short morning service (ends 11.10am) Followed by tea and discussion
Steering Morning, 9.30am – 12.30pm
9.30am Meditation
10.00am Meditation
10.35am Short morning service (ends 11.00am) Followed by tea and Steering Meeting The Steering Meetings are open to anyone who would like to come along to talk about how the Priory is working.
Sangha Morning with Renewing the Precepts Ceremony, 9.30am – 12.30pm 9.30am Meditation
10.00am Meditation
10.35am Renewing the Precepts Ceremony (ends 11.10am)
Followed by tea and discussion
Sangha Morning with full morning service, 9.30am – 12.30pm
9.30am Meditation
10.00am Meditation
10.35am Full morning service (ends 11.25am) Followed by tea and discussion