The Stupa Dedication & 10th Anniversary Festival

Circumambulating the stupa during the Dedication Ceremony

May 2 dawned a clear, bright day, not too hot but breezy and pleasant. A substantial gathering of about 100 people arrived at the temple to celebrate ten years of living and training in the Ozena Valley of Ventura County, dedicate our newly built Stupa, and celebrate the Buddha's Birth - this year's Wesak Festival. When all had squeezed into the Meditation Hall for the short anniversary ceremony, Rev. Master Phoebe sang a beautiful offertory of thanks to all who have supported the temple of these past ten years. It was particularly joyful for us that Rev. Master Jisho, who started up the Santa Barbara Priory way back in 1979, and had worked diligently to maintain the Priory all those years up to 2000, was present for the festivities that day.

Reaching the Stupa, Rev. Master Haryo, Head of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives, performed an eye-opening ceremony for the statue of Vairocana Buddha, who sits within the dome of the Stupa. The small courtyard-surround was filled with people; Rev. Haryo then blessed the new Stupa, giving an explanation for the existence of stupas, their meaning and purpose. We then moved to the patio area of the Sangha House, where Wesak Festival was held.

Canopies had been purchased to create extra protection from the bright sun during the ceremony. Following the Wesak songs and Rev. Master Seikai's offertory, Dharma talks were given by Rev. Masters Haryo and Jisho.

The day concluded with a huge potluck - feast. Many old friends attended, including Rev. Master Daishin Yalon and his disciple Rev. Enya from Shasta Abbey, Rev. Margaret, a former temple resident, and Rev. Master Kinrei of the Berkeley Priory. Revs. Phoebe and Seikai were honored to have so many people come to celebrate the existence of the temple and the Stupa, and give thanks for our first decade. Many who had seen the temple in its first few years, but not since then, were impressed with the progress and changes in the temple and its grounds. Once again we wish to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the establishment, maintenance and flourishing of Pine Mountain Buddhist Temple.

Rev. Master Phoebe and Rev. Master Seikai go over last minute details.

Rev. Master Jisho and Rev. Master Phoebe enjoy the moment.

NEWS

In Preparation for our May 2nd celebrations we had many helpers here during the month of April and as we meditated and worked in the mornings, studied the Dharma together and shared our meals and teas, the sense of being a Sangha deepened and the temple truly began to show its flowering. Many thanks to Maryanne, Greg, Sally, Beth, Teresa, John, Asha and Al for giving so freely of yourselves.

On April 24 we held a Memorial Ceremony for John Carney, brother of Teresa, who died of cancer.

On May 16 we dedicated the merit of the Reading of the Shushogi to George Carney, another brother of Teresa, who died on May 12.

All the visitors and guests having left by the middle of May, we are now back to a crew of three people. Life at the temple has resumed its quiet rhythm of meditation, working meditation, study and relaxed times with each other and our animals. Weekends are once again open for retreats, and anyone is welcome to spend part of a day, or several days with us at any time.

Thanks to a substantial amount of rainfall this past winter, the temple grounds have been unusually verdant, with successive waves of wildflower colors washing over our fields: goldfields and blue California bells in April and May, pink red-stem filarees, orange fiddlenecks, red owl clover and two species of evening primrose, one white, one yellow, as the season has progressed. The trees are growing robustly, and the roses blooming profusely. There is sufficient green grass for Venus to graze for a solid half hour or more every day.

On June 4th Rev. Master Phoebe went to Shasta Abbey, on the train, to visit with monks there for ten days. The former abbot, Rev. Eko Little, has returned to lay life (see article, page 4; for more information, refer to the Shasta Abbey website, www.shastaabbey.org). The monastic community has elected a new abbess, Reverend Master Meian Elbert. Our thanks to Beth for coming to help out during that time.

On June 19 Rev. Master Seikai planted a crab apple tree in memory of Rev. Master Jiyu, which the temple had given him on the occasion of his 30th Transmission anniversary. "May the transmission continue to grow and blossom in the springtime of enlightenment."

Camille rings the temple bell to celebrate the Buddha's Birth
while Mischa counts using a rosary.

Sally and Rev. Master Phoebe arrange flowers
for the stupa offerings as Asha (r) looks on