Valley Zendo is located Charlemont, MA, a small town in the Berkshires. Valley Zendo is a temple for all who seek to learn more about Zen Buddhism and meditation. Valley Zendo offers weekly Sunday morning zazenkai (sitting and walking meditation) and five-day sesshins each month, along with a year-end sesshin December 27th through December 31st & July 18th through July 22nd. This temple follows the Antaiji tradition and focuses on Shikantaza. Shintazaka is the complete manifestation of the Buddha Mind. In this way, students are encouraged to abandon the seeking mind, and practice meditation for the sake of meditation. Antaiji does not believe in any end goal, and is practices meditation without seeking to gain anything or make anything go away.

Valley Zendo was created by a group of monks from Antaiji, Valley Zendo’s home temple in Japan. Through the support of many donations, the temple has served as a meditation center for over three decades. Located in the Berkshire mountains, this quiet atmoshpre is perfect for those who seek a place to practice meditation. The center is quite simple, so as to maintain the integrity and simplicity of the Antaiji tradition. All facilities are heated by woodstoves, and drinking and bathing water is drawn from a local well. Vegetables are produced in the temple garden and contribute to the meals of residents and practitioners.

All programs are lead by Valley Zendo’s current resident teacher, Eishin Ikeda. Ikeda is a Japanese monastic and has been living in the U.S. for over 40 years. After graduating college, Ikeda ordained on February 15, 1972. Since then he has practiced diligently until receiving the position as priest at Velly Zendo. Valley Zendo does not currently provide programs outside of the temple, yet it’s doors remain open to all. Anyone interested in participating in extended retreat may contact Eishin Ikeda for more information.

http://www.valleyzendo.org/home.htm