Wesak Altar and Elephant

Several dozen congregation members, family and friends joined us on May 20 to celebrate the Festival of Wesak in celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. In addition to the Wesak Festival ceremony, the weekend included, ringing of the temple bell 108 times, and a festive “picnic” (indoors due to the threat of rain). The previous evening featured special musical invocations and readings from The Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold. It was lovely to spend this significant occasion in the Buddhist year with all who came to join us.

Reverend Valora, Venerable Seck Lee Seng, Reverend Master Meian

Rev. Master Meian Elbert and Rev. Valora Midtdal spent a month traveling and visiting Dharma friends and relatives in Asia from June 23 through July 24. Rev. Master Meian was invited to address a session on Buddhism in Times of Radical Change at the Global Buddhist Village Symposium in Taipei, Taiwan on June 27. She and Rev. Valora enjoyed a visit to Dharma Drum Monastery and spent a week at Cheng Yuan Temple with the Abbess, Ven. Chun Ren, Ven. Ci Quan and the community. They went on to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Malacca, Malaysia to visit Ven. Seck Lee Seng, its Abbess,who, like Ven. Chun Ren, is a disciple of the late Ven. Seck Kim Seng, Rev. Master Jiyu’s ordination master. From there, they traveled to Buddhist temple sites in Cambodia (Angkor Wat) and Sri Lanka, where they toured the Temple of the Tooth (site of a relic of Shakyamuni Buddha) and other temples and stupas. They took many photos and shared a selection with the monks at evening tea. Both monks were touched by the kind hospitality offered them by monastic and lay sangha members – and even strangers – wherever they traveled. We’re happy to have them both back home safely.

Rev. Kojo Bailey, a novice monk from Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in the U.K., arrived in June for a visit of at least six months. Rev. Valeria Allison of Lions Gate Buddhist Priory arrived early in the summer to train with us for a couple of months. We’re glad to welcome these two monks and appreciate the help and training they offer.

Rev. Master Meian was the Celebrant at a blessing ceremony for the new Redding Zen Buddhist Priory, where Rev. Helen Cummings is the Prior. Several monks accompanied Rev. Master Meian, and all enjoyed a festive potluck lunch with the Redding lay sangha. Congratulations and best wishes to Rev. Helen and the Sangha as they continue their Buddhist practice together.

Rev. Amanda Robertson was the Celebrant at a June memorial ceremony for our old friend Donald Barry Wertheimer, who had been Rev. Amanda’s husband before she entered the monastic life. We were glad to welcome their daughter Arnica, granddaughter Sara, and several of Don’s friends who attended the ceremony.

The Extern Sacristans, with help from lay guests and various monks, have continued clearing dead trees for fire safety and converting them to firewood and lumber.

The Friends of Shasta Abbey participated in a half-day woodcutting project at the home of some local congregation members, and we’re very grateful for their offering of the resulting firewood.

Tree Service Professional fells a tree

Monk Cutting Firewood