News from Dragon Flower Mountain

Rev. Master Kōten's Recovery

The past few months have been ones of recovery for Rev. Master Kōten, who in late July broke two bones in his right leg near the ankle in a compound fracture.  The fracture required immediate surgery and the placement within the leg of a titanium plate and several screws.  Since then there have been five months (so far) of slow and often painful recovery, complicated by infections, another required surgery, and a blood clot.  It has been a time of uncertainty, and has been a good teaching for us all on the three aspects of existence:  anicca (impermanence), anatta (no separate self), and dukkha (suffering).  His monastic disciples have been grateful for the chance to serve their Master in a most direct and fundamental way.  We have also been privileged to hear several in-depth Dharma Talks on many different subjects.  Rev. Kōten's recovery is on-going.  He no longer is wearing the vac-dressing, and his visits to the hospital in Lytton are down to two a week.  He saw the surgeon in Kamloops in mid-December, who told him, "You're not completely out of the woods yet, but it is looking very good".  Rev. Master Kōten is walking now with the help of crutches and sometimes a cane, and we pray for a complete recovery as soon as possible.  Rev. Kōten would like to thank everyone who has offered alms, cards, and especially all the merit offered by all in the Ten Directions.

Retreats

Thanksgiving Retreat
Over the Autumn and early winter we have had two retreats, one of them a Monastic Retreat (see below).  The other one was held during the Thanksgiving Weekend (October 8th & 9th), and was very helpful to those who attended.  We finished with The Festival of Bodhidharma Ceremony, for which Rev. Aurelian was the celebrant .  Rev. Aurelian then gave a short Dharma Talk on Bodhidharma's life and his importance to our lineage.  Bodhidharma is considered the First Zen Ancestor in China, for he made the perilous journey from India to China at age 60, encouraged by his female Master, Prajnatara (J. Hannyatara).  His teachings eventually spread throughout China and Japan and became known as the Zen School.

Monastic Retreat
From Monday, December 5th to Sunday, December 12th, we held our first Monastic Sesshin (week-long retreat), to celebrate Rohatsu (the Buddha's Enlightenment).  The Rohatsu Retreat is traditionally held during the first week of December.  We were grateful to have Rev. Master Andō for the retreat, as well as Trevor Fenwick and Victor Stepan.  The retreat went very well—Rev. Master encouraged quiet contemplation and stillness throughout the week.  We concentrated on sitting meditation, putting aside all other activities and endeavours for the week.  Rev. Kōten generously offered a Shosan (public question-and-answer) Ceremony during the week, as well as a series of formal Dharma Talks, during some meditation periods, on the subject of the Five Pillars of Training.  Rev. Brian gave a Chief Junior's Dharma Talk.  As well, Rev. Masters Andō and Aurelian both offered formal Dharma Talks.  We finished the retreat on Sunday morning with a joyous Festival of the Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony, for which Rev. Kōten was Celebrant.  We followed this with a celebratory lunch.  During the week of the retreat we celebrated the Transmission Anniversaries of both Rev. Master Kōten and Rev. Master Andō.

This is an historic occasion.  Up to now, we haven't been able to do a full retreat, but now, with a Community of four monks, it is possible.  Rev. Master Kōten reminded us all that it is only through the ongoing material and spiritual support of the Lay Sangha that we are able to do this.  We are all extremely grateful for the vast amount of alms we have so generously received over the years that makes this possible.  May we all continue to support each other in whatever way is possible, so that our training will flourish (all of us!)

Visitors

We have been delighted to receive several visitors over the last few months.  As mentioned above, we were honoured to have Rev. Master Andō as a guest for about three weeks.  She is a monk at Shasta Abbey and is currently the Chief Cook (J; Tenzo) there.  We are really grateful to her for visiting us and gracing us with her bright cheerfulness.  Also, thanks go to Shasta Abbey for extending her stay.  She was a great help to us all, and we hope to see her again some time in the future. 

We were also delighted by visits from Karen Monzel Hughes, Rev. Brian's mom, who came from Cincinnati, Ohio for a week in October—also Lama Tsewang and Rev. Sukha; Linda and Tom; and Hong, Lorraine and Will, all of whom are from the Metro Vancouver area.  Rod and Fred Walker came twice from Edmonton (Rod came three times), and worked hard putting up two large solar panels, re-wiring our controls, installing a "lightning plate", fixing a leak in the roof, and doing some other much-needed repairs.  We are most grateful for their visits, and for all that they have done to make Bodhidharma Hall more comfortable.  Peter Robinson, a Buddhist from Kelowna who heard about us through Lama Tsewang, came for an overnight stay; Alan Kaiser and Trevor Fenwick came from Portland, Oregon in mid- November—Alan stayed a few days, and Trevor stayed on.  He is hoping to stay for several months.

Edmonton Visit

Rev. Aurelian travelled to Alberta in November to be with and do some teaching at the Edmonton Buddhist Meditation Group, which we are affiliated with.  Rev. Aurelian was delighted to visit the group after an absence of a couple of years.  He saw many familiar and many new faces.  "It was a joy to sit with so many really sincere trainees.   Many people had very good questions, which I hope I was of some help with.  I was very impressed by the depth of practice and the spiritual maturity of many people".  We are hoping that between Rev. Aurelian and Rev. Kōten (when his leg heals sufficiently), we will be able to visit on a regular basis.

Ceremonies

Two ceremonies have already been mentioned.  We also had the annual Memorial Ceremony for Rev. Master Jiyū, who was Rev. Master Kōten's Master and the Founder of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives and the First Abbess of Shasta Abbey. This year the ceremony was held on her actual death date, Sunday, November 6th.  We all sincerely appreciated the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to the life, teaching and training of Hōun Jiyu, the merit of whose life is priceless.

Other News

Tea and Reception
On October 29, the monks attended a tea and reception in Lillooet to welcome into the world Terry and Chris Hurst's new baby girl, Emiko.  It was a real joy to see both parents and new baby for the first time since the birth.   Emiko's name means Blessed, Beautiful Child, and she certainly is a very beautiful little baby.  The new parents were happy to have so many guests attend the tea.  We wish the child and two parents much success in the future.

Phone & Internet Service
For about three weeks at the end of November to the middle of December, we were without either phone service or Internet service.  Our phone service is now restored, but as of this writing our Internet service can be described as "spotty" at best.  We have been completely without service for the last three days.  When it comes back, it is either very slow or the service only works for a short time. We're sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused anyone.  Our Internet service is provided by a non-profit society and is run by volunteers.  We are very grateful for all the hard work they have done working through a number of complex and unrelated problems in the Botanie Valley Area.

Holiday Train
Several of us went down to Lytton to welcome the Holiday Train, an annual train sponsored by CP Rail which travels across the country from Montreal to Vancouver every year, in order to raise funds and food donations for the various Food Banks in communities Canada-wide.  A musical performance is provided, this year starring the stalwart Canadian folksinger Valdy.  Of course Santa came.  There were lots of kids and parents and general good cheer for the 20 minute show.  We brought some surplus food donations to help out those less fortunate in Lytton.  It looked as though a lot of others did the same.

Winter is Here
Winter came relatively early this year.  In mid-November we had several days of heavy snow, and a total accumulation of over two feet.  We had to get the Glasgow brothers, Burtt and Kenny, to plough our roads. It remained cold for several weeks.  It has since warmed up a bit, but we've got a lot of snow at Bodhidharma Hall even now.  The monks of the Priory are grateful to have the opportunity to train through the rhythms of all the seasons, and it is only through the sincere alms of open-hearted lay Sangha and friends of the Priory that we have the opportunity to do so.

News from Vancouver

When the opportunity presents itself, we are most happy to gather at the home of Grant and Michele to sit together and participate in morning service.  These Sunday gatherings always end with a very enjoyable social tea.  The group wishes to thank Grant and Michele for continually offering their home so that we can continue to train together.

IN GRATITUDE

The activities and training of the monks and residents of the Priory is entirely supported by the material and spiritual alms of members and friends.  We are grateful for the alms received in the form of money, labour, expertise, time, energy and especially the sincere training of all who have given to help.

Among the alms received at the Priory are the following food items:  milk, cheeses, eggs, veggie "meats", cakes, granola, granola bars, fresh fruits and vegetables, oats, mayonnaise, flour, rice, coffees, breads, pies, evaporated milk, yogurt, watermelon, salsa, cantaloupe, chocolate of various types, chips, home-made and store-bought jams and preserves, biscuits and crackers, spanakopita and dip, cooked meals, mango pulp, tahini, sesame snaps, purees, spaghetti, chili paste, paneer, masala, macaroni, pasta sauce, Chinese crackers, cookies, bean thread noodles, squashes, avocadoes, sauces, biscotti, chocolate-peanut spread, halva, chocolate wafers, pepper sauce, crackers, nuts, several pumpkin pies, Echinacea tincture, fresh apples from orchards, peanut butter, maple syrup, teas, coffee, cinnamon rolls, ice cream, chip dips, sugar, rice, pasta sauces, cereals, maple candy, home-made trifle, butter,  nut butters, home-made carrot cake (thanks Tom!),  Instant Breakfast mix, Naan bread mix, hickory seasoning, olives, artichokes, herbs, tortillas, spices, Stollen, protein powder, soy milk, mushrooms, tempeh, banana chips, sesame oil, TVP, coconut milk, nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, lentils, Tofurkey, mayonnaise, prunes, polenta, dried fruits & nuts, caramel sauce, pizza, distilled water, salmon (for Lewis), sour cream, egg rolls, tofu, rolls, mandarins, pineapple, cookies, olive oil.  We were also grateful to receive two trivets, kitchen cloths, a loan of a heater and a duster.  Thank you to Burtt Glasgow for hauling a load of shale for our road as a donation, thanks to Rev. Andō who brought us rose jam, a list pad, incense, a statue, coffee and pistachios, as well as chocolates from her brother Klaus Mueller.  Also, thank you to the Edmonton Congregation for their support, assistance and hospitality in making Rev. Aurelian comfortable during his trip, to Bev and Jay Bunker for accommodating him, also to Mark and Donna for accommodations in Calgary, and to Patricia Giles for accommodations in Westlock, AB.  A big thank you goes to Rod and Fred Walker who worked tirelessly to install our new solar panels, which increases our capacity immensely-thank you for all the labour, expertise and parts such as wiring, switches, connections etc. which they so kindly donated, as well as the ride to and from Alberta which they gave to Rev. Aurelian.

OFFERING BOWL

There are countless opportunities to make merit by helping out the Priory.  We could always use an extra hand with chores such as chopping wood and hauling water, and we are open to visitors year round.  Please call or e-mail if you would like to visit.  We are often in need of perishables, but please call first to see what we can use.  As well, we could use the following:  printer cartridges for a Canon IP3300 printer (again, please call if in doubt); 3.79 litre sized zip-lock bags; coffee; tea; canned chickpeas, kidney beans, and other non-perishable canned goods; Carnation Instant Breakfast; matches; Kleenex; paper towels; nuts (no Brazil or Hazelnuts please); #6 Melitta coffee filters; stamps; white and brown rice; evaporated milk.                                                                                                 -gasshō