The autumn was a quiet time in the monastery. A number of monks were away during September at the monastic sangha gathering at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. Several community members visited other temples of the Order in the UK and Europe on the way over or on the way back. We appreciate the hospitality extended by Throssel and the other temples—and by Rev. Master Kinrei who hosted several overnight stays at the Berkeley Priory.

While these monks were away, quite a number of lay sangha members responded to our request for help in staffing the monastery during September. One weekend was a Friends of Shasta Abbey workday, which was well attended. A major accomplishment was getting all the firewood in for winter. We were very grateful all for this assistance.

Near the end of October we celebrated several ceremonies, including our annual Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts. On the 28^th we held a renewal of wedding vows for long-time lay ministers Patrick and Sandra Tam. Their daughter Teresa, her husband, and a number of monks attended the ceremony. The Tams were celebrating the 55^th anniversary of their marriage. Congratulations to them for their many years of Buddhist training.

The next day on the 29^th the community gathered to offer a one-year memorial for Rev. Master Chosei, who died a year ago. In addition, on the 3^rd of November we celebrated the annual Festival Memorial for Rev. Master Jiyu.

In early November we also welcomed back to the Buddha Hall a small statue of Achalanatha who graces the altar underneath the large painting in the Achalanatha Shrine. He had been undergoing restorative work in the Bay Area.

A few days later Rev. Master Oswin and Rev. Allard responded to an invitation to the monastery to provide speakers at several religion classes at Chico State University in Chico, California, where the Order has a meditation group. We appreciated this opportunity to share our Dharma practice with so many university students and were grateful for the hospitality extended by the Chico group.