Reading Buddhist Priory

These are both group evenings where local congregation members can come and practice together, with the prior. We all gather together in our meditation hall for Midday service, a short ceremony focused on the recitation of a primary teaching of Great Master Dogen, one of the foremost Japanese ancestors of our tradition. This is followed by 2 periods of meditation, with walking meditation in between, followed by tea and a Dharma talk/discussion about aspects of meditation practice in daily life.

Sunday mornings: 9.15 and 10.05: This is an opportunity for those who work during the week to join with others for a similar event to that above. There are two meditation periods with walking meditation in-between, starting at 9.15am, followed at 10.45 by Morning service, a 15 minute service followed daily in Soto Zen Temples. This involves bows and candle/ incense offerings and the recitation of the scripture of Great Wisdom, a translation of the Heart Sutra; and the Ancestral Line, the names of all the monks who have transmitted the teachings to us from the time of Shakyamuni himself. This is followed by tea and questions/discussion afterwards. 

If you wish to arrive for the 10.05 meditation period please ring the door bell between 9.55 and 10.05, so we can come and open the door during walking meditation.

One Sunday a month, there is a festival instead of Morning service, to express our gratitude for an aspect of our teaching or for one of our founders. Please see the festival and Ceremonies page for details, and the calendar for the dates for each month.

Early morning meditation and Morning service at 7.15am from Tuesday - Saturday inclusive. If you have been to an introductory evening, you are welcome to come and join the prior for early morning meditation and short morning service. 

Please arrive around 7.05 am. Morning Service ends at approximately 8.20am.

In addition to these scheduled events, the Priory is open as a quiet place of refuge on Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm (except Thursday afternoon) You are welcome to come by to meditate in the meditation hall, sit and read a book from our (small) library, have a cup of tea with the prior, or simply enjoy the peace of the Priory and its garden for quiet contemplation. Any offers of help with the day to day work involved in maintaining the Priory, or the garden are welcome.Please phone beforehand to check there will be someone here to let you in.