The Group was founded in May 1995 and aims to be a support group for all those who wish to train in the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition of Buddhism (Soto Zen) as practiced by the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. The Group also wishes to make this Buddhist Practice available to the people in and around Hull (England) through introductory meetings, day retreats and meditation meetings.
We are a group of lay Buddhists who practice a form of meditation brought to the West by Rev. Master Jiyu Kennett who founded the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (O.B.C.). The main centre of this order in Britain is Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in Northumberland.
The Group meets once a month to meditate, usually on the evening of the second Monday. These meetings are held in members' homes. These meetings start at 7-30 p.m. prompt and usually last two hours. The meeting will start with a recitation of Zen Master Dogen's "Rules for Meditation" or other scriptures, followed by a period of sitting meditation lasting about thirty minutes. A cup of tea whilst we listen to a scripture reading or recording of one of the monks (female/male) of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives usually follows this. The meeting typically ends with a recitation of the "Evening Office". There may be some discussion of Group business, but we try to keep organisational matters to the start or end of the meeting.
Newcomers to the practice are asked to contact one of the group organisers to discuss coming to these meetings and perhaps arrange to arrive early to receive meditation instruction before the meeting, if it is convenient with the host. Or we can arrange to give meditation instruction to newcomers between meetings.
The Group also holds occasional Introductory Meetings or retreats in Hull or East Yorkshire. A monk from Throssel Hole Abbey may be available at these meetings to give Meditation Instruction and Spiritual Counseling.
Membership is open to all those who wish to practice Serene Reflection Meditation. Any such person, living in Hull or the surrounding area, may request to have their name added to the membership list. The membership list, containing addresses and telephone numbers, may be held on card index or computer.
One or two members of the group act as a contact point for inquiries about activities. The planning of activities should involve as many members of the group as possible. Members are welcome to volunteer to take part in any of the group activities or host an evening meeting. The main purpose of the group is to practice Buddhism, and members and guests attending meetings should not feel obliged to make a donation, take part in the organising of the group or agree to host a meeting. Newcomers are strongly encouraged to visit Throssel Hole Abbey.
History of the Group
Notes on the scriptures used in our ceremonies
"Now and Zen" Journal
Wesak celebration in Hull, held annually in May by Hull Buddhist Group
Some further notes about the Group:
We are a Soto Zen Group in the Serene Reflection Meditation Tradition. We are not a discussion group and we do not offer a general introduction to Buddhism or Zen. It is important that people attending our meetings receive meditation instruction from a monk or authorised lay-person of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives, even if they have their own established practice. People from other traditions may attend our meetings if they have received meditation instruction in our tradition and agree not to meditate in a different style during our meetings. The readings and teachings we have at our meetings are solely from our tradition, but members are not discouraged from reading other Buddhist teachings privately.
We do not charge admission to our meetings, but may collect donations which are used to pay for room hire for the Introductory Retreats and the travel costs of visiting monks.
