Ajahn Jayasaro in visiting the Pacific Hermitage in 2011
We are very happy to share that the venerated Tan Ajahn Jayasaro will be visiting the Pacific Hermitage from April 30th through May 2nd. There are a few opportunities for the community to visit him and the Pacific Hermitage Sangha. Ajahn Jayasaro will:
Teach at Yoga Samadhi the evening of Tuesday, April 30. As usual, the program is segmented into a silent meditation from 5:15 – 6:15 PM, and then after a 15-minute break there is meditation and Dhamma reflection from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.
Do alms round with the Hermitage monks on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, May 1st and 2nd.
Be available at the hermitage May 1st and 2nd after the meal for Dhamma questions and discussion (from about noon to 1:30).
Tan Ajahn Jayasaro took Bhikkhu ordination in 1980 with Ajahn Chah as his preceptor, and is the author of the Ajahn Chah biography Stillness Flowing. We are quite joyful for this chance to share Dhamma and pay our respects.
Spring is right around the corner, and as is our tradition, April begins the season of Garden Parties at the Hermitage. This is a wonderful chance to offer generosity by tending the yard and the forest while connecting with members of the Hermitage community. In April, we’ll be doing a range of post-winter cleanup tasks, no special skills needed.
Here are the dates for the season (all Saturdays), so mark your calendar for:
April 6
June 1
July 6
August 3
September 7
October 5
(No May garden party due to the Birken retreat.)
You can always join for any part or all of the day’s schedule, and no signup is required. If you can’t make these events and would like to help at another time, please contact Ajahn Sudanto for details.
The Schedule
Meal Offering: 11:00 AM. Feel free to bring a dish for the potluck style meal offering (please arrive by 10:30 if you’re bringing food).
Garden Work: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Please also feel free to bring any extra garden tools for the day, and dress in your ‘garden clothes.’
Tea: 3:00 pm – 4:00 PM.
Garden Parties are a wonderful opportunity to connect with the Sangha, and chat with other members of the Pacific Hermitage community.
Happy Spring!
Save the Date: Pah Bah Weekend is September 14th & 15th
This May, Pacific Hermitage Retreat at Birken Forest Monastery
This treasured tradition – the Pacific Hermitage meditation retreat at Birken Forest Monastery – will return in 2024. Applicants can apply for a one week session, which are scheduled for May 4-11th and May 18-25th. The Theme is Keeping the Big Picture in Mind, and as always, Ajahn Sona will offer reflections each night on the theme.
Members of the community interested in attending can request to participate by filling out this application– requesting either one or both of the two sessions. Please register by March 18th 2024, and those accepted will be notified by March 25. Also:
Details about coordinating carpools will be shared after this time.
With the recent renovations at Birken, each participant will have a single room.
If you have any questions, please email Ajahn Sudanto at hermitage@abhayagiri.org, and put “2024 Birken Retreat” in the subject line.
Birken Monastery is a beautiful setting quite conducive to deeper meditation, investigation and reflection. What a joy that this tradition returns!
Given the high likelihood we’ll have significant ice or freezing rain tomorrow night, Tuesday January 16th, we’ve decided to cancel the two meditation sessions we host at Yoga Samadhi.
We’ll resume the following week provided the weather is suitable.
Thank you for your understanding, and may you all be safe and warm!
Fall view of Hermitage House and new firewood sheds.
Comings & Goings
As is customary, with the end of the Vassa there will be some comings and goings at the Hermitage. Tan Parimutto will return to Temple Forest Monastery on November 8th, and Tan Suddhiko will depart for Abhayagiri in early December. The community has been so grateful for their kind presence!
Ajahn Sudanto will be traveling to Thailand and Japan from early November to early January. We hope his journeys will be of great benefit and we look forward to his return.
We’re very excited that Ajahn Nyaniko, Abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery, will be visiting the Hermitage from December 1st – 7th. Also arriving from Abhayagiri on December 1st will be Tan Cittapālo and Tan Dhammavaro, who will both remain at the Hermitage through the winter. We look forward to welcoming them all! As always, there are opportunities to offer a meal on the weekends (calendar here) and join the monks on Tuesday evenings at Yoga Samadhi. Additionally, Ajahn Nyaniko will offer a daylong at Portland Friends of the Dhamma on December 3rd, details here.
A Beautiful Pah Bah
It was a great joy that so many in the community could attend this year’s Pah Bah on September 16th & 17th. Joining the Hermitage’s resident monks – Ajahn Sudanto, Tan Suddhiko, and Tan Parimutto – were ten monks from three different monasteries, including:
From Abhayagiri: Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Sek, Ajahn Nyaniko, Ajahn Karunadhammo, Tan Jotimanto, Tan Dhammavaro, and Anagarika Max.
From Temple: Ajahn Anando and Ajahn Caganando
From Clear Mountain: Ajahn Nisabho
The weekend activities included a half-day meditation event on Saturday, and the meal offering and Pah Bah ceremony on Sunday. These auspicious occasions have occurred since the time of the Buddha, and they celebrate the interdependence of monastics and laity. The generous support of the community will contribute to a Monks’ Retreat House at the Hermitage in the future. Anumodana!
From the 2023 Pah Bah Weekend, September 16 & 17
You can see more photos from the event by viewing this photo album.
2023 Garden Party Season
This year’s Garden Party season concluded in October with many in the community joining in to stack wood for the winter. Two newly built wood sheds were completely filled! Much gratitude for all those who worked diligently and with such care all year, taking care of the land and preparing the wood for the winter. Anumodana, may these generous acts be of great benefit.
The Abbot’s Kuti
Many Hermitage visitors have had the chance to see progress on the Abbot’s kuti along the way, and it is now close to complete. While there is still some finishing work to do, it’s expected to be completed by mid November.
