Eugene Buddhist Priory Retreat Center

Welcome to the Eugene Buddhist Priory Retreat Center website. A temple is a place for sincere and dedicated people of the Eugene Buddhist Priory Retreat Center Springfield area to practice serene reflection meditation with the guidance of a monastic teacher. The focus of this tradition is silent meditation, or zazen, and is known in Japan as Soto Zen.

The Eugene Buddhist Priory Retreat Center has its origin as a small temple founded in 1973 by monks from Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery in the name of their teacher, Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. The temple was located in several locations around the Eugene area for a time and then purchased the property in 1989 in southeast Eugene to establish a permanent home for the Eugene Buddhist Priory Retreat. Led by the priest at that time, with help from many directions and the dedicated commitment of a small group of lay practitioners, the congregation over the next ten years built our first meditation hall, meeting room (library), kitchen, office, and facilities for a resident monk. This building was dedicated in 1989. Situated amidst an oak, fir, and pine forest, it has proven to be an excellent setting for Buddhist teaching and group meditation and activities. A second building was constructed in 2007 to provide more space for additional monks and occasional overnight guests.

As primarily a congregational temple, the Priory offers Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and support for individuals who wish to study and train in this meditation practice. Teachings are offered both in a group setting and as private advice and counsel. The core group activity is a Sunday morning gathering consisting of seated meditation, usually a Buddhist service or ceremony, and a Dharma talk by Rev. Oriana or occasional visiting teachers. Other activities include early morning meditation and service throughout the week; workdays through which members help with the maintenance and cleaning of the temple and grounds; monthly silent days of meditation in which people can concentrate their practice in a quiet, formal setting; and a weekly reading group. Monthly calendar.

We also celebrate some of the traditional Buddhist festivals honoring events in the life of the Buddha, memorials for eminent teachers in our lineage and various aspects of Buddha Nature, such as Great Compassion (Avalokiteshvara, Kanzeon, or Kwan Yin), Great Wisdom (Manjusri), and the Healing Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru).