Friends of Shasta Abbey - FOSA Friends of Shasta Abbey (FOSA) is a non-profit organization established by the lay Sangha to carry forward the ancient Buddhist tradition of interdependence between the monastic and lay communities. In gratitude for the monks’ generosity in offering the Dharma, FOSA helps provide skills and resources to support and enhance monastic life at Shasta Abbey.
In the spirit of dana, the Friends of Shasta Abbey contributes revenue from its gift shop, and the kind donations of the lay Sangha to directly benefit the monastery. In this way, the monks, the Friends of Shasta Abbey and the entire lay Sangha work together to support each other’s spiritual training.
Board Members Carol JenkinsPresident, Anne Johnson Vice President, Laurie Ottens Secretary, Karla Straube Treasurer. Members-at-Large include Deborah Hiple, Bob Johnson - Shop Manager, Steve Larsen, Marie Mitchell, Ashley Price, Cathy Ruiz-Kigerl and Monastic Advisor Rev. Master Daishin Yalon.
The Shasta Abbey Buddhist Supplies Shop, located at the Lotus House on the Monastery grounds, provides Dharma-related publications, meditation supplies and a variety of religious products. The Shop accepts checks and cash: it does not take credit cards. There are no mail order or online sales. Proceeds from the sale of Buddhist Supplies Shop products are donated to the Abbey in the form of cash donations and as seed money for other projects. The Shop is open most Sundays after the Sunday Dharma Talk, during scheduled retreats and at other times by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment to visit the shop please contact buddhistsupply@shastaabbey.org.
Shasta Abbey Buddhist Supply Shop is now accepting donations of items that can be sold in the Shop. Items that would be of interest are books approved by the Abbey, statues and such. If you have an item you would like to donate please bring it to the shop, or contact Bob Johnson at buddhistsupply@shastaabbey.org with any questions.
Completed Projects Friends of Shasta Abbey made possible the 12 new meditation screens used during the recent Platform Sutra Retreat. FOSA provided the funds for the materials and much of the labor to make them. The old screens are now in use at the Sky Creek Dharma Center in Chico for use by the Chico Meditation Group.
Successful FOSA projects include of the printing of Cooking with a Gentle Heart, a cookbook that includes Shasta Abbey's favorite vegetarian recipes; the purchase and installation of four hot water heaters for Abbey buildings; the framing of 100 Avalokiteshwara prints that are used to decorate the Buddha Hall during the Avalokiteshwara Ceremonies throughout the year (these lovely images beautify the Vimalikirti Hall and the Bodhidharma Hall when they are not in the Buddha Hall); the purchase of a log splitter for the monastery; improved lighting in the monastery kitchen; expansion of the lay and monastic libraries; and helped with storm damage cleanup after the January 2010 blizzard.
Ongoing and Future Projects Since the current economy is affecting so many of us, FOSA's revenue from the shop has naturally declined. In response, FOSA is dedicated to continuing its support of the Abbey through workdays and fundraising. We are currently trying to raise funds for two projects that are underway: the construction of 10 new meditation screens and the sewing of 13 new Segaki banners for the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts ceremony. We are asking for donations toward their construction and materials. If you would like to sponsor an entire banner or meditation screen for $150-$200 (on a sliding scale), your name or anyone you wish to remember will be printed on the screen or banner. We would also be grateful for any contribution you would wish to make. Donors will be listed outside the Ceremony Hall during the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts ceremony.
FOSA is currently raising funds to help cover the construction costs of ten new meditation screens and thirteen new Segaki banners to be used in the Feeding of the Hungry Ghosts Ceremony. If you are interested in contributing to these projects, please contact Marie Mitchell at encrypted email address.
Current Ways to Participate Help at the Buddhist Supply Shop with sales, inventory, accounting and more by contacting Bob Johnson at buddhistsupply@shastaabbey.org.
Join a FOSA Board committee or donate your time to an ongoing project by contacting fosa@shastaabbey.org.
Make a tax deductible donation toward any current or future project by contacting fosa@shastaabbey.org.
Contact For further information on current FOSA activities or purpose contact FOSA Board President, Carol Jenkins at fosa@shastaabbey.org.