Abhayagiri Monks Visiting the Northwest:

Luang Por Sumedho at a recent teaching in Toronto, Canada. photo by Jim Roy.

Good beginnings and strong foundations--these are often encouraged as we embark on a spiritual journey or a new period of practice. It's in this spirit that a large group of monks from Abhayagiri will be traveling up to the Pacific Northwest for four days. They are coming to visit and bless the newly established Pacific Hermitage in the Columbia River Gorge.

Leading the group from Abhayagiri will be co-abbots Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. This is likely to be Ajahn Amaro's last visit to the Pacific Northwest for the foreseeable future, as he is soon to assume the role of senior monk at Amaravati Monastery in the U.K. Also in town for one day is Luang Por Sumedho, the current abbot of Amaravati and the senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend the following events:

Friday, July 9th
At the Pacific Hermitage, 174 Tunnel Road in White Salmon, Washington:
10:30am-12:30pm Meal Offering. Please arrive early and bring a dish to share.

At Portland Friends of the Dhamma, 1422 SE Tacoma St:
5:30-6:30pm Tea with the monastics
7:00-9:00pm Meditation and teachings

Saturday, July 10th
At St. David of Wales Church, 2800 SE Harrison St:
10:30-12:30pm Meal offering. Please arrive early and bring a dish to share.
1:00-3:00pm Opening Ceremony for Pacific Hermitage, including short talks by
Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Pasanno, and Ajahn Sudanto

At Portland Friends of the Dhamma, 1422 SE Tacoma St:
5:30-6:30pm Tea with the monastics

In the church next to Portland Friends of the Dhamma, 1422 SE Tacoma St:
7:00pm-9:30pm Public talk by Luang Por Sumedho

Sunday, July11th
At Portland Friends of the Dhamma, 1422 SE Tacoma St:
10:30am-12:00pm Meal offering. Please arrive early and bring a dish to share.

After the meal offering the monastic caravan will leave to spend the day at the hermitage, delivering the three monks who will reside at the hermitage, before returning to California on Monday morning.

For more information and directions, please visit the Pacific Hermitage (pacifichermitage.org) or Portland Friends of the Dhamma (pdxdhamma.org) or call Greg at 503-233-6498.