This year, four of our western monasteries had the good fortune to host Luang Por Liem during a one month trip to America. With him was Luang Por Jundee, Ajahn Sek, Ajahn Moshe and Ajahn Thaniyo. They went to Tisarana Monastery in Ottawa, Canada, then Temple Forest Monastery in New Hampshire, Pacific Hermitage, and Abhayagiri. For those who have never before heard the names of these monks: Luang P…
Ajahn Liem, the abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong and successor to Ajahn Chah, will be visiting four North American monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition from June 19 to July 16. Ajahn Jundee, abbot of Wat Pah Ampawan, and two other monks will accompany Ajahn Liem. After visiting Tisarana Buddhist Monastery, Temple Forest Monastery, and Pacific Hermitage, they plan to arrive at Abhayagiri in the early…
We are pleased to announce that Ajahn Amaro will be here for a brief visit in June. He will be in San Francisco in early June to attend a Mindfulness and Compassion Conference, and will come to stay at Abhayagiri from June 7 – June 10. On the afternoon of Tuesday June 9, we will have an ordination of two novices and two bhikkhus, and Ajahn Amaro will give the ordination reflections. There will be…
If you are looking for a way to support the Abhayagiri community and want to connect to the residents in an informal situation, then you are welcome to come join us for an afternoon project. The next scheduled community work day is June 13. The project will start with a meeting at 1 pm and will probably end by 4:30 pm. You are welcome to come join us for the 11:00 AM meal and stay for tea at 4:30…
Recently Tan Thanavaro and I took up the practice of “tudong”. Walking from the small town of Westport, CA to Boonville, CA, mostly following Rt 1 along the coast and Rt 128 through redwood forests and along side the Navarro River. The word ‘tudong’ is derived from the Pali word “dhutanga”, meaning ascetic practices. There are 13 ascetic practices that the Buddha allowed and encouraged for assisti…
One warm day in June nineteen years ago, Ajahn Amaro and Anagarika Tom (now Ajahn Karunadhammo) established Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, CA. Luang Por Pasanno arrived about six months later. The original infrastructure consisted of a small two bedroom house and a garage, which was converted to the current Dhamma hall. For several years now, it has been apparent that we have out…
Our annual winter retreat during the months of January, February, and March recently came to a close and the community is slowly re-entering the pace of our normal daily schedule and routine. The retreat was a very beneficial time for us: a chance to move into more stillness and time for reflection – deepening our contemplative practice. The theme for teachings this year was the first three establ…
Ruth Denison passed away at her center in Joshua Tree, California on February 26, 2015 (see previous article on our website for a report of Ajahn Pasanno’s visit there last autumn). Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karunadhammo are attending the memorial service for Ruth, which will be held on March 21st. This event will be live-streamed – information about Ruth, the memorial service, and how to view the e…
During the first week of September, Luang Por Pasanno and other members of the Abhayagiri community made a trip down to Southern California to visit Ruth Denison. Debbie Stamp, Amy Zhu, and Samanera Khantiko accompanied Luang Por Pasanno to Dhamma Dena in Joshua Tree, CA. (For more information about Ruth Denison and an upcoming documentary on her life and teachings, please visit www.dhammadena.com…
Beginning January 1st and continuing until March 31st, Abhayagiri will be in winter retreat. This annual time of quietude, gratefully supported by a team of lay supporters, gives Abhayagiri residents an opportunity to set aside work projects and concentrate on more formal aspects of meditation and the study of Dhamma. Short days, wet weather, and the silence of winter make this a natural time to b…
