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2019 March & April News

Photo of monks walking alms through the snow in White Salmon
A snowy alms along Jewett Creek en route to White Salmon. February 2019.

*New Tuesday Night Meditation Option * Regular Monthly Events Return (including April 6 Garden Party) * A Look Ahead at 2019 * Monastic Comings and Goings

New: One Hour of Silent Meditation Offered Before Regular Tuesday Night Program

Starting April 2, the monks will offer a weekly one-hour silent meditation period for experienced meditators. It will be held 5:15 – 6:15 PM, just prior to the regular Tuesday night community meditation and Dhamma talk at Yoga Samadhi, White Salmon, WA.

This earlier, hour-long sit will be completely silent (no instruction). Participants are expected to be seated and ready to meditate by 5:15 PM and to stay until 6:15 PM. If you arrive late or have to leave early, please come another time.

The regular Tuesday night community meditation, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, remains open to all levels of meditation experience. During this time period the monks give brief instructions before meditation, offer reflections on the Buddha’s teachings and usually have time to answer questions.

5:15 – 6:15 PM Silent Meditation for experienced meditators
6:30 – 8:00 PM Regular Meditation and Dhamma Talk for all levels

Offered free, at Yoga Samadhi, White Salmon, WA. Cushions and chairs available.

April Events

Starting in April, monthly Garden Parties (community work parties) and PFoD visits return. The former monthly half-days of meditation will not be returning.

Garden Party @ Hermitage
April 6
11:00 am:  Potluck (optional) — Arrive by 10:30 am if you’re bringing food
1:00-3:00 pm:  Yard work and projects
3:00 pm: Tea and refreshments

Monks @ Portland Friends of the Dhamma (PFoD)
April 19, 20 & 21
Fri. 5:30 pm:  Tea/Questions
Fri. 7:00-9:00 pm:  Meditation/Dhamma talk
Sat. 10:30 am:  Almsround
Sat. 11:00 am:  Meal Offering
Sun. 10:00-11:30 am: Sunday Sila

Note: Upasika Renewal is also on Sunday, April 21 at PFoD, 12:30-4:30 pm, after Sunday Sila. See PFoD for more information.

2019 Special Events

  • Pacific Hermitage Retreat at Birken: May 1 – 16
  • Willa Thaniya Reid & Elizabeth Day
    • Daylong in Underwood, WA: Jul. 21
    • Meditation at Yoga Samadhi, White Salmon, WA: Jul. 23
  • Pacific Hermitage Pah Bah (White Salmon): Sep. 21 – 22 (Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Jayanto, Ajahn Caganando, Ajahn Karunadhammo and other Abhayagiri monks)

Monastic Comings and Goings

Ajahn Sudanto will be away Mar. 20 – Apr. 11 and May 1 – 16 for the Birken Retreat. Ajahn Kassapo and Venerable Kovilo will be returning to Abyahagiri in late March and late April. Replacing them from Abhayagiri will be Venerable Khantiko and Venerable Gunaviro. Ajahn Jotipalo will arrive late April to visit for several weeks.

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Monastic Winter Retreat at the Hermitage

  • Winter Retreat is Dec. 1 – Mar. 31
  • Monks at Hermitage throughout Winter
  • Ajahn Sudanto away Nov. 14 – Jan. 29

Monastic Winter Retreat … A Quiet Time

Winter Retreat:  December 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019

Winter Retreat is an important time of reflection and renewal for the monks.  During this time, monastics are more solitary.  They focus on quiet study, investigation and meditation.

We can support them during their retreat by limiting our conversation and requests for their time.

Alms food and meals are still needed, but many who offer during this time simply offer their food without much, if any, conversation.

Please check the Hermitage calendar to see when meals are needed.  Contact the meal dana coordinator to schedule your meal offering or ask questions about meals or alms.  You now have the option of ordering food at a local restaurant, if you’re concerned about driving in winter weather.

Regular Tuesday Sits Continue Through Winter

TUESDAY NIGHTS — Meditation with the monks, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, at Yoga Samadhi, White Salmon, WA.  Meditation, then Dhamma talk.

New Logo Highlights Native Dogwood

When the Pacific Dogwood catches rays of sunlight filtering through the trees, its white flowers light up the forest.  Even as the flowers fade and the petals drop, they still color the forest with the clusters of brilliant red berries they leave behind.   Now, the flowers light up our new logo — in full bloom on pacifichermitage.org.

Comings and Goings

Unlike some previous years, we will have monks in residence throughout the winter.

Photo: Ven. Kovilo Bhikkhu
Venerable Kovilo

Ajahn Kassapo will remain at the Hermitage through Winter Retreat.  He’ll be on his own through November 28, then will be joined by Venerable Kovilo for the remainder of the retreat.

Ajahn Sudanto left November 14 for the Abhayagiri Thanksgiving Retreat, and will travel from there to Birken Forest Monastery for the first part of his Winter Retreat.  He’ll return to the Hermitage after the meal on January 30.