A lay retreat
You would like to give meaning to your life, you are looking for a spiritual path?
Whether you are an atheist, an agnostic or of any faith whatsoever, you are welcome to this retreat.
The right religion, regardless of the times, is the one
that enlightens us and invites us to live in peace
Kanshoji is a Sôtô zen buddhist monastery.
Sôtô zen, through the purity of its forms, in its simplicity, aspires to touch the heart of as many people as possible in order to contribute to the long and necessary evolution of mankind.
Kanshoji’s abbot, Taiun Jean-Pierre Faure, is a Sôtô school certified teacher. His daily teachings are vivid and often relate to real-life situations.
In the heart of Périgord-Limousin natural park, overlooking a lake surrounded by forests, Kanshoji is located in a calm and beautiful setting favourable to our constant presence to the world.
Sitting still, perfectly balanced, the spine stretched between earth and sky… Absorbed in this posture of awakening, without grasping or rejecting anything, naturally, unconsciously, we give freedom to all things. Giving freedom to our thoughts means not to move before them…
Our consciousness then opens into infinity. That is how Buddha’s wisdom and compassion can manifest within us.
The three poisons defined by Buddha – ignorance, greed and aversion – rule the world, giving rise to unbridled consumerism, fanatism, violence and war…
Political answers are insufficient because the solution lies in the heart of every human being, all of them yearning for the absolute, for liberation, love and sharing.
Through the practice of awakening, we free ourselves of the three poisons and can act with wisdom and compassion.
The monastery is a school of life, open to anyone wishing to discover, deepen and practise Buddha’s teaching.
It is possible to share the monks’ daily practice for a few days or months; to participate in the various retreats; to come for weekends of teaching, and so on…
Special attention is given to newcomers.
Sotoshu :
Ecole zen Sôtô
UBF :
Union Bouddhiste de France
AZI :
Association Zen Internationale