Thanksgiving Retreat 2026: Open for Applications
Thanksgiving Retreat 2026
Led by the Abhayagiri Community
November 21-29, 2026 at Applegate Retreat Center, Applegate, CA
Abhayagiri Monastery in Redwood Valley, California and the Sanghapala Foundation invite you to join Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Karunadhammo, Ajahn Nyaniko, Debbie Stamp, Jill Satterfield and the Abhayagiri Community for a nine day residential retreat over Thanksgiving.
The retreat will be held from Saturday afternoon, November 21, through Sunday morning, November 29, 2026 at the Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center near the Sierra foothills. It’s a beautiful, very private 350-acre center, nestled in California’s historic gold country. The closest airport is Sacramento, about 50 miles SW of the center.
We will create a monastery environment during our time together, and we offer you this opportunity to explore the Dhamma in a setting that differs somewhat from a typical meditation retreat. We will all live the monastery life, following the Eight Precepts, taking only what is offered, and attempting to reflect on our every activity as part of our practice. This will include noble silence, morning and evening chanting, sitting and walking meditation, and daily Dhamma talks and teachings.
Retreatants are required to attend the entire retreat, from check-in, beginning 3pm on the 11/21 to the closing ceremony on 11/29 at approx. 10:30am. Incense and candles are used at the morning and evening chanting periods.
Applying for the Retreat
Please note, because of limited space and high demand, this is a lottery retreat. The application deadline for the lottery is the end of the day on August 29. If you apply after that date you will be placed on the waitlist. On or before September 5 you will receive confirmation that you have a space on the retreat or that you have the option to be on the waitlist. If you don’t receive a notification by that date please contact the retreat manager, retreatmanager.kathy@gmail.com.
The retreat will be offered solely on dana (free will donations). There is no set fee.
Upon application a refundable $200 deposit is required. Please do not apply for the retreat until you have a firm intention to attend. Due to the large number of cancellations before the previous Thanksgiving Retreat and the difficulties cancellations pose for retreat planning, we may restrict registrations for next year’s retreat for those who register and then cancel this year. If you do need to cancel please email us right away. Please Note: Should you cancel after October 21, your deposit will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
Accomodations
The Applegate Center is a double-occupancy rooming setup with shared bathroom facilities. The retreat center is wheelchair accessible. We are unable to accommodate any other environmental needs. We will eat a hearty breakfast and, in keeping with this monastic tradition, the daily meal is eaten before noon; Gluten and dairy free options are available. In the evening, hot tea is available and “monastic allowables” are served, e.g. dark chocolate, cheese, ginger, soy milk. We cannot accommodate other dietary needs.
To apply for the retreat, please fill out the online form HERE then mail a $200 deposit check to:
Paul Friedlander
722 Prospect Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610
Please Note: Make the check payable to Sanghapala Foundation and post date it November 21, 2026. On or before September 5 you will receive confirmation that you have a space on the retreat or that you have the option to be on the waitlist.
For all questions please contact the retreat manager, Kathy Cheney, retreatmanager.kathy@gmail.com.