Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey, Buddhist monastery in Northumberland, United Kingdom
Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey is a monastery in Northumberland containing meditation halls, residential quarters, and common areas within its complex. The buildings are arranged to support the daily life and practice of the monks and nuns who live there.
Reverend Master Houn Jiyu-Kennett founded this monastery in 1972, converting a former farm into a center for Soto Zen Buddhist practice in England. This establishment marked a key moment in bringing this Japanese Buddhist tradition to the United Kingdom.
The community here follows the Serene Reflection Meditation Tradition rooted in Japanese Soto Zen, with quiet meditation spaces at the heart of daily life. Visitors can observe how monks and nuns gather at regular times to practice together.
Visitors should arrange visits in advance by contacting the monastery, as it only opens by appointment. The community also observes a winter closure period in early to late December when visitors are not accepted.
The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives here practices a striking openness: men and women train together and can equally reach leadership roles within the community. This sets the monastery apart from many traditional Buddhist institutions elsewhere.
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