Ten Precepts Meeting. The monastery’s annual Ten Precepts Meeting Retreat (Jukai) was held March 24-31. Eleven trainees received the Precepts for the first time: Thomas Barnhill, Morgainne Ben-Ami, Richard Cook, Gayle DeWindt, Renate Funke, Johnny Hendricks, Daniel Jennings, Barbara Mastman, Carol McPheters, David Merrifield, and Kevin Southard.

This year’s abbots were Rev. Master Meian, Rev. Master Daishin, and Rev. Master Margaret. We congratulate all the new Buddhists (in Soto Zen receiving the Precepts is how one formally becomes a Buddhist) and look forward to training with them and other retreatants in upholding the Buddhist Precepts together.

Community. On February 28 we welcomed back Rev. Master Haryo from his year’s stay at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in the UK. On March 3 we celebrated his 52^nd ordination anniversary at an evening tea.

On April 23 we welcomed Rev. Owyn Summers from Lions Gate Buddhist Priory in British Columbia for an extended stay while he applies for Canadian citizenship. Rev. Owyn is a disciple of Rev. Master Koten Benson and is a familiar face, having spent two periods of postulancy here at Shasta Abbey. We are glad to have him back here training as an ordained novice monk.

On May 5 two new Teachers of Buddhism were recognized and certified: Rev. Trahearn Platt and Rev. Vera Giordano. Rev. Trehearn is a disciple of Rev. Master Meian Elbert and Rev. Vera is a disciple of Rev. Master Kodo Kay. Both have been training at the monastery for ten years, a minimum qualification for becoming a Teacher in our Order. We congratulate them both and are appreciative of their many contributions to our community life.

Monastic Guests. Over the spring months we enjoyed training with several monks from other temples: Rev. Jisen Coghlan of the Boise, Idaho Zen Center (for our spring monastic retreat); Rev. Master Vivian Guenenfelder of Still Flowing Water Hermitage (for an introductory retreat); and Rev. Master Leon Kackman of the Portland Buddhist Priory (for the Lay Minster Retreat). The participation of other monks always enriches our practice.

Memorial. On April 19 we celebrated a memorial for Teishin (Vicki) Houdyshell, a former monk who trained at the monastery during the 1980’s. She subsequently taught a school for children out of her home in Los Osos, California, and led a meditation group there for a period of time. Her memorial was attended by a number of her family and former students, all of whom were touched by the time offered and care exhibited by the community in honoring Teishin. She had a significant impact on all who knew her.

Lay Minister Retreat. For the first time since the Covid pandemic, we held a retreat for lay ministers of the Order May 15-19. Thirteen lay ministers participated. This year’s retreat was led by Rev. Master Leon Kackman, the North America Lay Minister Chaplain. He was assisted by Abbey residents Rev. Master Daishin Yalon, our Vice-Abbot; Rev. Master Oswin, the executive secretary of the Order; and Rev. Master Margaret, our Prior and lay minister liaison for the monastery.

The retreat combined a balance of discussions, meditation, and time for personal practice. The lay ministers sat with the monks for morning service and led the meditation periods, meals, and mid-day service. The retreat ended with a joyous celebration of Wesak by over 50 guests, a Dharma talk on compassion by our Abbess Rev. Master Meian, a ringing in of the Buddhist New Year on the temple’s great bell, and a lively social tea.