No where to go, thousands of miles from home, and coming to terms with something that happened to me a few nights prior while in the desert of Nevada, I found myself standing outside of the gate of the Abbey asking to come in. A kind women greeted me at the gate and I was blessed that the Reverend had the time to spare to be there for me in my time of need. I will never forget the few afternoon hours I spent at the Abbey, or the talk I had with the Reverend, on that warm June afternoon. When I left, I felt ready and prepared to face the days to come. Arigatou Gozaimasu

Without a doubt, the most powerful and constructive years of my life were spent at Shasta Abbey, and because I received the Dharma transmission from Rev. Master Jiyu Kennet, Roshi, I will forever be linked to the monastery.

I was pleasantly surprised at how knowledgeable and amazing the monks are. I had an incredible experience at a 3 day retreat i attended. Life changing experience.

Real Soto Zen b practiced and teaching offered by seasoned monks and masters Next year, 50th anniversary. The real deal. If you want authentic, this is it...

Beautiful cannot fully grasp the elegance this slice of heaven has to offer. See for yourself. Be spontaneous

Shasta Abbey is sometimes called "the best kept secret" in Northern California. I have visited the Abbey three times in the past two years, and each visit has offered profound opportunities to learn and practice Buddhism within the Soto Zen tradition. This is a working monastery, in two ways: it is a place for active training of monks and lay Buddhist practitioners, and the training involves "working meditation," as well as seated (zazen) meditation and ceremony (chanting scriptures, bowing). Working meditation is a core part of Soto Zen, together with zazen and Buddhist ethics ("Precepts"). I have found this active form of meditation a helpful way to learn how mindfulness can transform my approach to ordinary daily tasks (washing dishes, cleaning, interacting with other people). The monks are excellent teachers and provide spiritual counseling and guidance on how to meditate and how to understand Buddhist teachings in a concrete, practical way.

Beautiful serene place. The monks and everyone there is very kind and welcoming.

Bug Buda Party very serene a great place to have Conversations with God.

Perhaps I expected more, I but I was very disappointed with my 2 week retreat. This was 30 years ago and at that time I was assiduously reading Suzuki, Alan Watts, etc al and hoping to get instruction. Nothing

Such a Beautiful place. Love Northern California!

A path is for any to determine, choose to follow. Journey is our existence, arrival our beginning, end and rebirth. -jAnthony-jesus d'Antonio

A pure land existing within the human realm. Truly a great place for training. I feel safe and I feel I can trust the monks who live here.

Friendly, knowledgeable took us on a guided tour. Rich history here. Most enlightening.