About Zen Community of Oregon
Upcoming Retreats at Zen Community of Oregon
Sesshin - The Ancient Way
Home Hermitage - A Day Long Retreat Online
Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
Loving Kindness Weekend Meditation Retreat
Half Day Zazen Retreat & Ango Check-in
Home Hermitage - A Day Long Retreat Online
Half Day Zazen Retreat & Ango Check-in
Sesshin - Rohatsu
Beginner's Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat
Vow Sesshin
Pari-Nirvana Sesshin: A Meditation Retreat exploring Life, Death & the Unknown
Sesshin - Deep Listening
Sesshin - The Light of our Ancestors
Sesshin - Loving Kindness
Sesshin - Summer Breeze
Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin
Venue & Amenities
Within the forest is Great Vow's famous Jizo Garden, a memorial garden for people who have died, and the newly dedicated Shrine of Vows, a place where people leave tokens of their deep aspirations.
Meals
Menu Types
Getting Here
Directions
Customer Reviews
Beautiful experience
Thank you 🙏
Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin
The buildings are comfortable, including the dorms. Many people slept outside in tents, though I was not one of them. The dorm area includes a "workout" area complete with yoga mats and various tools for massaging sore muscles. Although the shesshin is silent, everyone exhibits kindness and consideration. All meals are vegetarian with vegan options, and I thought they were all very good.
The two teachers were very good. They prepared a well thought-out and meaningful program focused on earth awareness in its various aspects. I couldn't accept the more anthropomorphic interpretations of natural beings, but the teachers seemed aware of this possibility and were not dogmatic about the subject. They made sure everyone who wanted to have a one-on-one session with a teacher could be accommodated.
Overall, I was content with the sesshin.
I love this retreat
Thought Provoking and Inspiring Inner Critic Workshop
THE SETTING. I am asked to offer a review of the Inner Critic workshop held at Great Vow Monastery in Oregon at the end of July 2024, and led by Jogen. I find the Monastery an open and welcoming setting for beginners and long-term practitioners alike. The grounds are peaceful: filled with life, from the nesting of the blue-and-gold barn swallows (who build homes in the Monastery's eaves) to the gangly coyotes who amuse the sangha with their teenage airs and sing lullabies at night-time. 5/5
ACCOMMODATIONS. Residents keep the temple spotless: a former elementary school with sinks and toilets built for small people. Visitors are offered comfortable beds and linens. Meals are thoughtful, with great care on two fronts: creating vegetarian dishes that offer healthy and fresh proteins, grains, vegetables and fruits--many from the Monastery gardens. Allergies and special needs are taken seriously, with accommodations for vegans, folks who are gluten intolerant, and for those with common food allergies. 4/5
WHAT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER. My body is a walking storehouse of allergies--which are year-round: I am allergic to molds, mildew, grasses, dust mites--an endless list. While antihistamine pills help a great deal, the smoke and scent from the incense used constantly at the Monastery cannot be managed by a pill. I find the incense aggravates my asthma--in short, it is difficult for me to breathe in the Zendo: the inner sanctum of the Monastery. Because pieces of my lungs have been removed surgically (to make breathing easier and to remove bacteria caused by tuberculosis' cousins--micobacterium avian) I find that I do better with fresh, clean air, and that--because the incense is hazardous and annoying--I wear a mask to dilute the smoke and scent--and yet--the mask--inhibits my breathing.
In summary, I face a hobson's choice: I come to the Monastery--and that is my choice. I come to engage in a fundamentally personal interaction/exchange with the community. That said, it requires taking a risk to my health because of zen traditions beyond my control: use of incense may likely cause me harm.
Mission & Vision
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 White Plum Soto/Rinzai lineage of Taizan Maezumi, Roshi enriched by teachings and practices from the Tibetan and Theravada traditions.
Abbots Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi and Hogen Bays, Roshi are the spiritual directors and senior teachers at the monastery, with assistance from other Zen Community of Oregon teachers, lay and ordained. Great Vow offers residencies, retreats, and workshops that are open and available to everyone. There are many ways you can practice here.
The monastery is located 80 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon on twenty forested acres overlooking the Columbia River flood plain. The monastery includes a spacious meditation hall, guest and resident dormitories, dining hall, and a large organic vegetable garden. Within the forest is Great Vow’s famous Jizo Garden, a memorial garden for people who have died, and the newly dedicated Shrine of Vows, a place where people leave tokens of their deep aspirations.
Visiting the monastery
Are you interested in getting a taste of monastic life or residential practice? Opportunities to stay at Great Vow as a guest are available throughout the year. Guests are expected to follow the monastic schedule for the duration of their stay.
Arrangements for overnight guest stays can be made by emailing the registrar or by calling the monastery at 503-728-0654. Guest stays are not available on Sunday – Tuesday of any week, nor during retreats.
If you are interested in visiting the monastery please call ahead 503-728-0654 or email the registrar@zendust.org.
The monastery is closed to visitors from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon and also during our monthly silent retreats. Please check the calendar before planning your visit.
Check out our website www.zendust.org