Shasta Abbey, Buddhist monastery in Mount Shasta, California, US
Shasta Abbey is a Buddhist monastery near Mount Shasta in northern California, with meditation halls, residential buildings, and spaces set aside for study and practice. The grounds are wooded and the buildings draw on traditional Japanese architectural forms.
The monastery was founded in 1970 by Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett, who had trained under a respected teacher in Japan before coming to northern California. She led the community until 1996, and her approach shaped the monastery's character from the beginning.
The resident community follows a daily schedule built around Serene Reflection Meditation, and this rhythm shapes everything that happens on the grounds. Guests who join a retreat take part in the same sessions, giving them a direct sense of how life here actually unfolds.
A visit requires prior contact with the Guestmaster, as the monastery does not accept unannounced arrivals. Introductory weekend retreats offer a structured way to experience the place for the first time.
The monastery runs its own publishing house, Shasta Abbey Press, which produces Buddhist texts and teachings for readers far beyond the local community. This means the monastery has a presence in homes and libraries well outside northern California.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
