News from Dragon Flower Mountain:

Spring has definitely arrived on the mountain.  New flowers spring up every day, and birds have arrived from the south.  We’ve seen bears, deer, and a cougar this season. 

On March 20^th we were invited by the local Bahai Community to celebrate Naw Ruz, the Persian New Year.  We were treated to a lovely feast with many vegetarian dishes. 

This year’s Annual Gerneral Meeting was held in the valley at the home of Lay Minister Victor Stepan.  Afterwards we held a festive potluck for everyone including local neighbours and friends.  Everyone seemed to enjoy re-connecting with each other. 

We have been making improvements to Kanzeon Spring.  We have lined the edge of the pool with rocks, set up a bridge, a bench and a lantern, and planted a weeping willow tree. We will be putting photographs on our website. 

On April 12^th we did a house blessing at Sointula Farms. 

Rev. Master Kōten visited the Edmonton Meditation Group for ten days in April. During his visit he led a retreat and gave several well attended Dharma talks including a public one at Padmanadi Restaurant. Rev. Kōten was very grateful for the hospitality of Bev Bunker and her husband and for the warm welcome of the group. 

We were saddened by the death of our good friend and neighbour John Armstrong on April 25^th.  Rev. Aurelian visited him a few days before he died and did a blessing ceremony at his request. He was at peace with the world when he died.  We attended a celebration of his life at Sointula Farms where we were asked to chant Scriptures, and Rev. Aurelian said a few words about his friendship with John. 

Visitors over the past few months have included Rod Walker, Bev Bunker and Dan Brodrib from Edmonton; Pierre Kohl from Vancouver; Tibetan monks Lama Tse Wang, Sukha and Khenpo Lophel, and Venerable En Ding from the Chinese Buddhist Sangha.

News from Vancouver

We are in the process of updating our website.  Recent additions include a section by Rev. Master Kōten called From Dragon Flower Mountain and seasonal photos of the land.  We will continue to add to our website in the coming months.  We welcome visitors to our website at: www.lionsgatebuddhistpriory.ca 

During our Wednesday evening meditation group, we have been studying Rev. Master Daishin Morgan’s book Buddha Recognizes Buddha. This text has given us much to sit with and has created opportunities for fruitful discussion among the group.  

We were very happy to welcome Rev. Master Kōten to our group on May 12^th.  

Over the May long weekend, seven people attended the Wesak retreat at Dragon Flower Mountain.  On Saturday, we worked together to clear an area near the cemetery of old felled logs and branches.  This project was followed by a silent meal together and evening meditation.  On Sunday, we celebrated Wesak; after, Rev. Master Kōten gave a Dharma talk about the meaning of this special day.  The retreat ended with a celebratory meal together at Bodhidharma House. We would like to thank Rev. Master Kōten and Rev. Master Aurelian for continuing to offer Dragon Flower Mountain as a place of training for us all, and Victor, for his hospitality.

IN GRATITUDE

The Priory is supported entirely by donations from members and friends. All gifts, both material and spiritual are accepted with bows.

Some of the recent alms we have received include the following: 

tomato sauce; muffins; cakes; cookies; chocolates; squashes; home-made soups and prepared meals; breads; pasta; cheeses; milk; eggs;  home-made jams; yogurt; preserved peaches; nettles; teas; pastries; carrot sticks;  salads; root-beer; coffee; couscous; canned fruit; Kraft Dinner; almonds; corn meal; samosas with sauce; fresh fruits and vegetables; V-8 Juice; bagels with cream cheese; jam; honey; soup; noodles; seasonings; candles; mineral oil; disinfecting wipes; paper cups; toothbrushes; soap; toilet paper; underwear; books; Cold F-X medicine; monk's clothing; cutlery set for monk's bowl; various seeds; Sea Buckthorn plants; willow tree and lilac bush transplants; fertilizer.  For Lewis Dog: thank you for the doggie treats and tennis ball.  Thank you to Shasta Abbey for the generous donations of rice, noodles, biscuits, tamarind sauce mix, cookies and chocolates; thank you to Venerable En Ding and her supporters for bamboo-wrapped dumplings, cranberries, and lunch at a restaurant. Thank you to Dr. Mary Lee who provided Rev. Aurelian with a four-day fasting and acupuncture treatment at her clinic, as well as accommodations and meals; thank you to Michele who has taken on the mammoth task of sewing new robes and monk suits for the monks; to our neighbour Ken Glasgow for gifts of macaroni and rice; and to Cowboy Coffee in Ashcroft for donating an entire case of home-made hawthorn jelly when their cafe closed. And always we thank Victor for his on-going support in making available the facilities of his house in the valley for monks' use and for the meditation group on Monday nights. Thank you to the congregation for providing delicious food for the Annual General Meeting potluck, and to everyone, named and unnamed, who have given of their time, skills, labour, money and the priceless merit of their training to help make this place possible.

OFFERING BOWL

The Priory is still seeking a good-quality step-ladder; two or more electric hair clippers; and solar electric (PV) panels of any size or shape.  Please contact the Priory first for details if you are considering purchasing any of these items.

-gasshō