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Jiunzan Tendai-ji
Jiunzan Tendai-ji is translated as ‘Compassionate Mountain Cloud Tendai Temple.’ The name designates both the resident sangha of the Karuna Tendai Dharma Center and the temple of the Tendai Buddhist Institute. It was given to us by the Ven. Shoshin Ichishima in 1997 and reflected his view of the local environment. The Karuna Tendai Dharma Center is located in an elevated notch of the Berkshire Mountains, where clouds often descend to the ridgeline of the surrounding hills. As such, the name chosen by Ichishima-sensei is as descriptive as it is evocative.
During the first nine years of our existence, we conducted services in our main house and in one of our barns. During the summer of 2004, we dismantled this barn and incorporated many parts of it into our new hondo (temple), which was dedicated in June of 2005. An essential all-purpose facility, designed to accommodate meeting, training, sleeping, dining, administration and a range of other functions, will begin construction sometime in the near future. Weekly Events: Every Wednesday, we conduct Shikan meditation. We meet at 6:30 p.m. for a short discussion, with meditation from 7:00 - 8:00 pm, followed by a potluck supper. Approximately 15-25 people attend these services. Monthly Events: On the first Saturday of each month we conduct a formal Tendai Buddhist Morning service at 8:30. This is followed by a Survey of Buddhism class from 9:00 - 10:30 AM. About 10-15 people attend these classes. One Sunday each month is Mahasangha Sunday (see the current Shingi or Upcoming Events for which Sunday), and the service is followed by a pot-luck lunch. Every other month we host a spiritual retreat for sangha members and the public. Retreats are designed to accommodate 8-12 people. Seasonal and Special Events: During the year there are special ceremonies and programs that are conducted as part of the Buddhist calendar. These include; O-Higan ceremonies during the fall and spring equinox, Segaki Service, New Years Services (from December 31st - January 3rd), Refuge ceremonies and ordinations. See Upcoming Events for specific dates. Additionally we conduct a number of wedding and memorial services.
Once our new facilities are completed, we will continue with our current schedule - under more comfortable and efficient conditions. We will also offer additional special programs such as retreats, training programs and public ceremonies. The renovated and new facilities will enable us to provide our offerings to larger groups, more frequently. Additionally, we will make our facilities available to community groups - such as twelve-step programs, scout troops and the like - in need of meeting or sanctuary space. The spiritual head of Jiunzan Tendai-ji is Abbott Monshin Paul Naamon. He and Shumon Tamami Naamon may be contacted at monshin@tendai.org or at 518-392-7963. To identify and contact other key members of the Tendai Buddhist Institute please click contact us. We are located at 1525 Route 295 East Chatham, NY 12060.
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