VISIT FROM MONKS AND LAYPEOPLE OF DUC VIEN BUDDHIST PAGODA

We enjoyed a two-day visit with Venerable Dam Nhat, Abbess, and over forty lay trainees and female monks from Duc Vien Buddhist Pagoda, who traveled here from San Jose, California in early March. One purpose of their visit was to introduce thirty young nuns from Vietnam to an example of Buddhist monastic practice in the West. In addition to many other generous offerings of flowers and gifts, our visitors also prepared delicious meals. Along with our usual daily schedule, we spent time talking about training in monastic life. We’re grateful to the members of the Duc Vien community and congregation for their monastic friendship as well as their many other offerings.

                           THE KEEPING OF THE TEN PRECEPTS RETREAT (JUKAI)                                    

2018 Jukai Shasta Abbey

Sixteen new lay Buddhists took the Precepts during the weeklong retreat in March. Ceremonies, Dharma talks and discussions pointed to the meaning of various aspects of this commitment to our practice. We were also happy to welcome a number of trainees who had taken the Precepts in years past and who came to renew that commitment, and we’re grateful for the help they offered during the retreat as well as their steadfast training.