Berkeley Buddhist Priory is a Buddhist temple following the tradition of Serene Reflection Meditation, which was known as Soto Zen in Japan and Ts’ao-Tung (曹洞 of Chan 禪) in China. The teaching and our practice emphasize meditation, guiding our lives by the moral Precepts of Buddhism, awakening the heart of compassion, and expressing it through selfless activity in everyday life.
The Priory is a temple of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC), an international Buddhist Order, whose North America office is at Shasta Abbey located in Mt. Shasta, California. The Founder of both OBC and Berkeley Buddhist Priory is the late Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett.
The Priory was established in 1973. It offers a regular schedule of meditation, Dharma classes, Buddhist services, day-retreats, and spiritual guidance. It also offers meditation instruction and workshops for beginners. There are no fees for participating in above activities or any other services that the Priory offers. Like other affiliated temples of OBC, the Priory is financially independent; we are supported entirely by donations from our congregation and friends.
The Prior of the temple is Rev. Kinrei Bassis, a Dharma heir of Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. Rev. Kinrei was ordained as a Buddhist monk by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett in 1979, and trained at Shasta Abbey. He received Dharma Transmission in 1982 and was named Master by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett in 1987. He has been the Prior of the temple since 1997. A selection of his Dharma talks and articles are available for download.
Finding our Peaceful and Compassionate Heart
Rev. Kinrei Retreat Talks at Shasta Abbey (2022/08)
(Listen to audio recordings on Dharma Talks page)
Watch video click the links below (or on YouTube)
Temple Activities Update (03/25/2023):
The Priory no longer has any restrictions due to the pandemic. People are welcome to wear masks but they are no longer required.
We have been offering Dharma talks and our monthly day-retreats on Zoom. There is a Sunday morning Dharma talk at 10:45 am and Wednesday evening Dharma talk at 8:00 pm. Also the Sunday Zoom meeting includes the 9:30 am meditation period and at 10:05, either another meditation period or a Buddhist service.
Berkeley Buddhist Priory 
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