Monastic Dialogue. Rev. Master Meian participated in a public monastic dialogue with Venerable Guo Huei, Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, at the Dharma Drum Mountain Center San Francisco Bay Area Center on Saturday, July 20. The theme of the dialogue was “Exploring, Sharing, and Applying Buddhism Across Diverse Cultures.”

Summer Retreats. Rev. Master Koten, Prior of the Lions Gate Priory in Lytton, BC, offered a week-long retreat in June. The theme of his retreat was “To View the Morning Star.” He lectured daily on how Rev. Master Jiyu’s teachings are incorporated into our daily Serene Reflection/Soto Zen practice. He covered such topics as karma, rebirth, and enlightenment. Rev. Master Meido and her disciple Rev. Clairissa of Wallowa Buddhist Temple in Oregon joined us for the retreat. Rev. Master Koten and his disciple Rev. Owyn returned to their temple on August 3. We appreciated their spending time training with us.

Rev. Master Astor, Rev. Master Meido, Rev. Master Koten, Rev. Master Meien, Rev. Clarissa and Rev. Master Amanda

In August Rev. Master Leon traveled from the Portland Priory in Oregon to offer a week-long retreat. His theme was “Activity in Stillness, Stillness in Activity,” with talks each day focused on the practices associated with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness or Great Love. His perspective from many years of training was valued by those attending the retreat, in person and online.

New Canine Resident. In early July we welcomed the addition of a new canine resident, Ranger, a four month old mixed breed puppy. He had been an abandoned animal, rescued and raised by congregation member Suzanne Kane, who is active in animal rescue in our area. Ranger has a very sweet temperament and is fitting in well into the community, even though he still has a ways to go in not chasing cats!

Monastic Visitors. We enjoyed brief visits from monks from other traditions over the summer: Ven. Ayya Santacitta of Aloka Earth Room in San Rafael, California; and Ven. Bhikku Soo Seong, a monk of the Korean Jogye Order, who was traveling to visit Dharma centers in the US.

Animal Funeral. On July 16 we held a funeral for “Pushkin,” Chico lay minister Kate Transchel and her husband Dee’s cat. The ceremony in the Buddha Hall, celebrated by Rev. Master Margaret, was followed by burial of ashes in the animal cemetery and a social tea with a lovely cake.

Rev. Master Margaret, and Dee and Kate Transchel

Funeral for Daiji Rojem. On August 30 we held a funeral for Richard Daiji Rojem, a long-time Buddhist practitioner and a lay disciple of Rev. Master Daishin for 25 years. Daiji had been incarcerated on Death Row in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary system for 39 years. Daiji had corresponded with Abbey monks for many years, including exchanging personal commentaries on Dogen’s Shobogenzo. His steadfast devotion to practice enabled him to accept the adverse conditions of his life and to help others in the same circumstances. Rev. Master Daishin and Rev. Enya traveled to McAlester, Oklahoma in late June to witness his execution. Rev. Master Daishin was the celebrant for Daiji’s funeral.