We have had a very quiet winter and spring this year, although we continue to have lay guests for a few days at a time. We hope the Covid restrictions will ease up soon.

New Master.  At a Sunday 13 February evening tea Rev. Master Meian named Rev. Amanda Robertson as a new Master in the Order. Rev. Master Amanda was ordained on 28 November 2000 by Rev. Master Eko Little and Transmitted by Rev. Master Meian Elbert on 5 February 2010. She served for many years in the bursar’s office and is now the monastery infirmarian. We congratulate Rev. Master Amanda on this important occasion and wish her well in her future training.

Community. We have had several additions to our community in the past few months. Rev. Valeria Allison, a disciple of Rev. Master Koten Benson, moved from Lions Gate Buddhist Temple in Lytton, BC, in the summer and fall to take up residence at Shasta. She is helping in the Guest Office. Rev. Kalden, a former monk (Rev. Berenice), now training in the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition in India, is spending several months training with us. We have appreciated her bright spirit and her assistance in the kitchen and with caring for older monks. Lastly, our Vietnamese novice monk, Rev. Quang Tue, continues to practice with us, and we appreciate his fine example of training.