In quite a departure from its Christian traditions, senior clergy at the York Minster have quietly introduced a new form of spiritual enrichment altogether – Zen Buddhist meditation sessions to take place on its premises.
But the issue hasn’t gone down well with evangelical Christians, who came down heavily on the York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe.
The York Minster cathedral advertises the open meditation sessions on its website: “The York Zen Sangha meets on alternate Fridays at the Old Palace, in Dean’s Park, for Zazen (sitting meditation)...All are welcome to attend the sessions.” The sessions are led by members of the church and a Zen master from York Zen Sangha.
Members of Christian Concern, an organisation pushing for the UK to “return to the Christian faith” and a member of the Church of England’s General Synod, have disapproved of the cathedral’s meditation sessions.
Chief executive of Christian Concern, Andrea Minichiello Williams, said: “Buddhism contrasts sharply with Christian teaching about God. The two are incompatible. To try to mix them is deceptive and dishonours Jesus Christ. It is remarkable that this is happening at one of the country’s best known cathedrals. The Archbishop of York must take swift action. This type of confusion undermines the Church of England’s current initiative to encourage Christian prayer.”
The Very Rev Vivienne Faull, dean of York, said the sessions had not taken place within the cathedral itself, adding that Zen Sangha did not constitute a distinct religious order. She said, “The chapter of York would not give permission order to be set up at York Minster.”
