Abbeya Foundation

09/24/2024

09/06/2024

Eido will be giving a guided meditation on September 28th at 3pm at the RailRiverFolkSchool for the No Fear Recovery Concert. This event is facilitated by our sangha member and non-profit vice chair, Joshua Ramirez in collaboration with North Homes Children and Family Services. We would love to see you there!

Join in on the events dedicated to celebrating recovery in Bemidji on September 28th and 29th.

FUN weekend of Music, Meditation, and the Annual Walk for Recovery

07/04/2024

Beloved Sangha Members,

I am disheartened to share unfortunate news. Effective as of July 2nd, we will be suspending Dharma Discussion and all other programming until further notice. We received notice from the property owner that Abbeya Foundation can no longer operate on the premises. This comes as a surprise to us as we had fully intended on proceeding with a year of programming, including an upcoming Zen retreat. However, we are being forced to comply with this abrupt decision from the property owner and cannot negotiate an extension.

We believe that our practice community is at the heart of Abbeya Foundation. Every one of you have contributed in your own unique way toward the development of Abbeya Foundation as a resource for Zen Meditation and Mindfulness practice in Bemidji, MN. You believed in our vision and continued to support us through difficult times. We are asking for your continued support in this difficult time as we search for a place to operate.

Abbeya Foundation plans to continue providing resources and opportunities to the Bemidji area and the Upper Midwest region. We have been working on various online offerings that will allow us to continue until we find a physical space. We will keep you updated with any further information.

Again, thank you for your continued support in the midst of the uncertainty of these circumstances as we continue to establish Abbeya Foundation. As a Dharma family sharing in a practice of love and compassion, may we continue embodying the path until we come together again soon. Thank you for your practice. Fearlessly awaken.

Maha Prajna Paramita

In Gassho,
Eido Ramirez
Founder, Abbeya Foundation
abbeya.org

06/29/2024

Unfortunately, due to unforseen circumstances, we will not be having Dharma Discussion tomorrow June 30th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

06/19/2024

Every Year, members of our sangha travel together on pilgrimage to imbibe and experience the powerful, yet subtle energy abundant at Mato Tipila. As we come to this location as visitors, it is vital in our Zen Buddhist practice to help preserve and honor the sanctity of the space while respecting the indigenous traditions still actively preserving its ancient history. After years of experience and continued learning, our spiritual director, Eido Ramirez shares insight into how Zen practice and indigenous wisdom come together with participants that attend.

"According to the traditional beliefs of Native American peoples, the Kiowa and Lakota, a group of girls went out to play and were spotted by several giant bears, who began to chase them. In an effort to escape the bears, the girls climbed atop a rock, fell to their knees, and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them. Hearing their prayers, the Great Spirit made the rock rise from the ground towards the heavens so that the bears could not reach the girls. The bears, in an effort to climb the rock, left deep claw marks in the sides, which had become too steep to climb. Those are the marks which appear today on the sides of the tower. When the girls reached the sky, they were turned into the stars of the Pleiades." Source text © Wikipedia

06/18/2024

Beloved Sangha,

On June 19th through 24th, we will be in Wyoming on pilgrimage at Mato Tipila, a sacred site revered by numerous indigenous traditions of North America. Our Spiritual Director, Eido Ramirez, will be away with some of our sangha members during this time. In his absence, there will not be Dharma Discussion on Sunday June 23rd. However, Dharma Discussion will resume on June 30th. Thank you for your continued support and practice. We look forward to seeing you when we return. Fearlessly Awaken. Gassho.

06/18/2024

The 2024 growing season is going well so far! We have many vegetables and greens growing in abundance. Our CSA membership is currently open with limited spots available. If you or someone you know is interested in a weekly subscription to fresh seasonal vegetables, consider becoming a member of the CSA, register here: abbeya.org/csa

We are also seeking help on the farm this season. For those who can volunteer their time, please sign up on our website for available times or contact us at: [email protected]

05/31/2024

"Make positive effort for the good." -Katagiri Roshi

It is because of the effort of everyone involved in the sangha that we are able to offer resources and opportunities for Soto Zen practice in the Upper Midwest. We are growing the Abbeya Sangha by practicing diligently. With everyone's effort, we can continue practicing together in Bemidji, MN. Join our community and practice with us.

For more information: abbeya.org

05/30/2024

Some scenes from our first Sesshin with members of the Abbeya Sangha in Bemidji, MN. It was a wonderfully profound weekend with many insights to continue practicing.

For more information, visit: abbeya.org

05/29/2024

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Zen Sesshin at Abbeya Foundation this past weekend on May 24th through 26th. It was a successful start to many more traditional retreats to come! Also, a special thank you to Zen priest, Keido Thotland, for guiding the retreat and to Eido Ramirez for facilitating the opportunity to deepen our practice and engage with the Soto Zen tradition directly in Bemidji, MN. With everyone’s efforts throughout the weekend, the retreat wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you. Gassho.

*Also, a special thank you to our Tenzo and Assistant Tenzo for cooking and preparing the beautiful meals throughout.

For those interested in participating in an upcoming Sesshin, please refer to our website and social media. There is one planned in July 2024.

For more information: abbeya.org/events