The Serene Reflection Meditation tradition (Sōtō Zen school of Buddhism)
The form of Mahayana Buddhism that is known as Zen emerged as a distinct school in China in about the eighth century. Our school of Sōtō Zen was introduced to Japan in the 13th century by Great Master Dogen. ‘Zen’ literally means meditation and zazen or seated meditation is the heart of our practice.
Within the Sōtō Zen school there are many teaching lines and each has its own particular flavour. Serene Reflection Meditation is the practice of those in the West who follow the Sōtō Zen lineage which was brought from the Far East by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. She was an English woman who was ordained in the Chinese Buddhist tradition and then went on to study at one of the two main Sōtō Zen temples in Japan (Sojiji), where she eventually became a Roshi, or Zen master, and was authorised to teach and to ordain men and women as monastics. She founded Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in Northumberland (whose website is www.throssel.org.uk ) in 1972, as well as Shasta Abbey in California. She also founded the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (website: www.obcon.org ), which consists of the monastic and lay Sangha who follow this tradition.
This tradition emphasises:
Through meditation we can discover the truth directly for ourselves, therefore it is the foundation of Zen practice. To do zazen is to sit still in the present moment with an open, alert mind, allowing thoughts and feelings to arise and pass away naturally, without holding onto them or trying to push them away. In meditation, one learns how to accept oneself and the world as it is. Profound transformation becomes possible once we know things as they are. If we believe that we are separate from everyone else, then we act selfishly to get what we want. If we know that within diversity nothing is separate, then we already have all we need, for we are one with all things.
By bringing this mind of meditation into every aspect of daily life, normal activities such as working, eating and cleaning have a deep spiritual value. Meditation and daily training enable us to see and let go of the clinging which causes suffering, thus allowing the compassion and wisdom within our hearts to enrich our lives.
The Precepts are a description of enlightened action and serve as a guide. They are never imposed, but may be undertaken freely by anyone who wishes. The 16 Precepts followed within the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition are:
The Three Refuges: I take refuge in the Buddha (the source of the teaching). I take refuge in the Dharma (the Buddha’s teaching). I take refuge in the Sangha (those who practise the teaching). The Three Pure Precepts of ceasing from evil, doing good and doing good for others.
The Ten Great Precepts: Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not covet. Do not say that which is not true. Do not sell the wine of delusion (whether drink, drugs or the emotional appeal of delusive thinking). Do not speak against others. Do not be proud of yourself and devalue others. Do not be mean in giving Dharma or wealth. Do not be angry. Do not defame the Three Treasures (do not deny the Buddha within yourself or in others).
Taking refuge in the Buddha is trusting the wisdom born of the compassionate heart. Also important is developing the humility to check our understanding with the Dharma (the teaching of the Buddhas and Ancestors) and with the Sangha (the living community of those who follow the Buddha’s Way). When we understand and embrace all aspects of ourselves within meditation, we come to know that the Precepts are our life-blood and that to go against them causes suffering for ourselves and others. If the Precepts are taken seriously, they provide the necessary safeguards and guidance for our lives, as we come to act on the basis of ‘what is it good to do?’ rather than ‘what do I want?’
We can all meditate because we all have Buddha Nature, even though it may be as yet unseen. All beings are fundamentally pure, but out of ignorance we create suffering, thereby obscuring our true nature. All beings are Buddhas and can be respected as such, whatever manner of life they may be in.
Compassion is aroused when we experience our unity with all life. When we realise that all things teach, we can accept them with gratitude. Meditation embraces both the good and the bad without judgement or indulgence. When we are touched by the infinite compassion that is the foundation of all existence, the desire to help all beings arises naturally.
Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey, a monastery and lay retreat centre, is under the spiritual direction of the abbot, Rev. Master Daishin Morgan, a Dharma heir of Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. In the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition, one can follow the Way as a lay person or as a monk. We use the term ‘monk’ for women as well as men, since there is complete spiritual and functional equality within our Order.
