Since the beginning of our monastic term in February we have held two Introductory Retreats, two Silent Meditation Retreats, a Continuing Practice Retreat that focused on Activity in Stillness and Stillness in Activity and Jukai—The Taking of the Ten Precepts Retreat During Jukai fourteen people took the Precepts for the first time:  Kenneth Brock, Midge Firenzi, Jan Gillespie, Donald Hart, Clea Holdridge, Beverly Hurley, Todd Jones, Mark Kline, Patrick Knight, Susan Lenviel, Justin Philbrook, Susana Ramirez, Lisa  Serpa and Jeri Shattuck.

Since February Rev. Master Scholastica, Rev. Master Serena and Rev. Margaret  have visited the Chico Meditation Group.  In April Rev. Master Astor gave a retreat for the Bear River Meditation Group.

On February 2 we celebrated the one-year Memorial for Rev. Master Hubert.  Later in February we also celebrated the one-year Memorial for Gene Cleaver.  On February 28 Rev. Master Meiko celebrated the funeral for long-time lay minister, Herb Dye.  A number of his family members attended, including his wife Ruth and his two daughters, Kira and Tasha.  Rev. Master Ando was celebrant for the Memorial for her father Klaus Mueller on the 49th day after his death, March 30.  On April 5, Rev. Amanda was celebrant for the Memorial for her nephew, Brian Pease.  On February 4, 2017, Rev. Helen was celebrant, Rev. Dilys was precentor and Rosemary Dyke was chaplain for a funeral for Sally Bergraaf as well as for a memorial for Greta the cat at Joanne Keifer’s home in Yreka.

Rev. Master Meian, Rev. Master Shiko, Rev. Master Kodo, Rev. Margaret and Rev. Helen participated in the Prayers for the Nation service 20 February convened by Fr. Larry Holben at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Mount Shasta.  Representatives from Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, Roman Catholic, and the Episcopal Church also participated in this interfaith, non-denominational service.  More than 100 people attended, including several people who mentioned they are not normally church-goers.  It was a very positive event, and interest was expressed in holding more interfaith services.

On February 25th Rev. Master Meian met with the local congregation for a lively, informal discussion about training.

Rev. Veronica has moved to the Berkeley Buddhist Priory in order to be closer to her 94-year-old mother who needs care and support; however, she spends time at the Abbey when she can.

On the night of 6th April Rev. Master Oswin Hollenbeck transmitted the Dharma to his disciple, Rev. Allard Kieres, in the ceremonies of Transmission. We congratulate both Rev. Master Oswin and Rev. Allard on this significant step in training.

We held our Denkoe Spring Monastic Retreat from April 18 through the 24.  On April 23 Rev. Trahearn Platt successfully performed the Head Novice Ceremonies.  In the morning he offered green tea and brownies and gave his first Dharma talk  to the community of monks in the Meditation Hall. In the afternoon, at his Head Novice Dharma Ceremony, he answered questions from all monks on the teaching, “When your own mind seeks for something outside and separate from yourself you are missing the point,” from The Litany of Bodhidharma Bodhisattva. We wish Rev. Trahearn continued success in his monastic training.