It’s that time of year – the Pah Bah celebration is fast approaching, and there’s lots to do in preparation. There are tent sites to clear for visiting monks who will be camping out, and clean up of small branch piles ahead of driveway improvements, among other light outdoor tasks – all easy for most to participate in, no expertise needed.
This is a wonderful chance to join fellow community members in this beautiful offering of generosity. It’s especially joyous to contribute to getting ready for this auspicious occasion. You can join for any part or all of the day’s schedule, and no signup is required.
Anumodana for all of the beautiful generosity in caring for the land and the Sangha!
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.
Krissy helping with the weeding
Note: If you can’t join on the 3rd but would like to help at another time, please contact Ajahn Sudanto for details at Hermitage@Abhayagiri.org.
Bhikkhus, householders are very helpful to you, as they provide you with the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicine. And you, bhikkhus, are very helpful to householders, as you teach them the Dhamma admirable in the beginning, admirable in the middle, and admirable in the end, as you expound the holy life both in its particulars and in its essence, entirely complete, surpassingly pure. In this way, the holy life is lived in mutual dependence, for the purpose of crossing over the flood, for making a complete end to suffering
2021 Pacific Hermitage Pah Bah Gathering at the Underwood Community Center.
“Clearing the Path” is the theme for this year’s Pah Bah, to be held on September 17th and 18th.
The annual gathering will once again take place in Underwood, Washington. We will celebrate with and enjoy visitors from Temple Forest Monastery as well as from Abhayagiri.
10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meal Offering. All are welcome to join the potluck meal. Or if you prefer, please feel free to bring your own meal with you. If you would like to bring a dish to share, please arrive by 10 a.m.
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Pah Bah Offering Ceremony.
Reminders and Requests as We Draw Near
If you would like to stay overnight in the area, book early, as things do fill up this time of year.
We are seeking a volunteer or two to lead the kitchen, lead the set-up on Saturday, and lead the tear-down on Sunday. Please contact jessicaswanson@gmail.com if you are interested.
All are welcome to attend any part or all of the activities. Kids and families will enjoy the ample room at the UCC to run and play outside – there is a playground for kids and kids at heart.
Dana
Donations offered will support development activities on the upper parcel of the Pacific Hermitage property, clearing the path for the Abbot’s Kuti to be constructed next spring. The Sanghata Foundation will also direct a portion of funds raised toward a down payment on future land purchases as they become available to create a buffer between the Pacific Hermitage and development in the area.
For more information about this year’s Pah Bah or to volunteer, please contact jessicaswanson@gmail.com.
[W]ith wealth acquired by energetic striving, amassed by the strength of [their] arms, earned by the sweat of [their] brow, righteously gained, the noble disciple establishes an uplifting offering of alms—an offering that is heavenly, resulting in happiness, conducive to heaven—to those ascetics and brahmins who refrain from intoxication and heedlessness, who are settled in patience and mildness, who tame themselves, calm themselves, and train themselves for nibbāna.”
Snow levels on the Pacific Crest Trail are improving with the full heat of summer now upon us. Likewise, the time to begin the Vassa retreat has also been quickly melting away.
Thursday July 28th Ajahn Sudanto and Venerable Suddhiko will begin a section hike on the PCT from White Pass aiming to finish August 10th in Stevens Pass, WA.
Many people came forward to help support with food, lodging, transportation, and most importantly remote meal offerings. Over 30 in total. Anumodana ! 🙏🏼
As the monks can’t store or cook food, a backpacking trip like this is only possible with the support of the lay community and several trail devas.
From White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass several have arranged to meet the monks at various trail crossings, or hike in food over a short distance.
At Snoqualmie Pass, after a meal offering with Ven. Nisabho and a few supporters from Seattle, the monks will be backpacking with Mike and Danny to Stevens Pass, a section with no road crossings.
Venerable Nisabho, from Clear Mountain Monastery has been generous, reaching out to the sangha in the Seattle area for support. He also volunteered to be an emergency contact for us on the trail should any deviations or dangers arise.
The monks will have a phone for emergencies and when possible check-in with him along the way. If any urgent contact is needed, please contact him at: clearmountainmonastery@gmail.com.
Following the hike they’ll be in Seattle for two nights to meet with Venerable Nisabho and friends from the Clear Mountain Sangha for a meal offering in Volunteer Park, on Thursday August 11th.
The monks will rejoin Venerable Tissaro on Saturday August 13th for a group meal and the Garden Party at the Hermitage.
Recent photo of Snow on the Washington Cascades snapped by Aj. Jotipalo
Due to the current snow levels, the monks decided to delay a July 20th start of their PCT hike from White Pass to Stevens Pass. They are now planning to start the middle of next week, either July 27th or 28th, depending on the availability of a ride to White Pass.
Ven. Tissaro will be staying back at the hermitage, and Ajahn Sudanto and Ven. Suddhiko will be away until August 12th.
More details and the plan for the hike will be posted as soon as rides are finalized.
If people are interested in a day-trip to one of the trail crossings on the east side of Mt. Rainer, there are a couple opportunities to make a unique and highly appreciated meal offering en-route.
Since most of the monks will be away for the first Saturday of August. The monthly Garden Party is rescheduled for the first day back from the hiking trip, Saturday August 13th. It should be a nice time to gather at the hermitage, please join-in if you can.
NOTE: Tuesday night meditation sessions at Yoga Samadhi will continue as normal during Ajahn Sudanto's absence.
In July, we will be welcoming Luang Por Pasanno, who will be leading the teachings at Yoga Samadhi on Tuesday, July 12th. The schedule will be the regular Tuesday evening schedule.
Ajahn Kasappo, who has been at the Hermitage since April, will be returning to Abhayagiri for Vassa. At the same time, Ven. Suddhiko will be arriving at the Hermitage for the Vassa.
The 2022 Pah Bah: Clearing the Path
Clearing the Path is the theme for this year’s Pah Bah to be held on September 17-18.
The annual gathering of friends and supporters will once again take place at the Underwood Community Center (UCC) in Underwood, Washington. The half-day of meditation and the Pah Bah ceremony will be held inside the hall, while meals will be outside under a large tent.
All are welcome to attend any part or all of the activities. Kids and families will enjoy the ample room at the UCC to run and play outside – there is a playground for kids and kids at heart.
The half-day meditation retreat will be on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the Pah Bah Ceremony and meal offering will be on Sunday, Sept. 18. More details to follow soon.
Donations offered will support development activities on the upper parcel of the Pacific Hermitage property, clearing the path for the Abbot’s Kuti to be constructed next spring. The Sanghata Foundation will also direct a portion of funds raised toward a down payment on future land purchases as they become available to create a buffer between the Pacific Hermitage and development in the area.
Garden Parties and Teachings at Yoga Samadhi Continue
Come to a Garden Party this Summer!
Spring began the season of Garden Parties at the Hermitage, and they continue through the summer. A Garden Party is always a wonderful chance to join fellow community members in this beautiful offering of generosity to tend the yard and the forest. Here are the remaining dates for the season (all Saturdays), so mark your calendar:
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
Tuesday Teachings at Yoga Samadhi
Teachings continue at the Yoga Samadhi studio in White Salmon on Tuesday evenings. Participants are welcome to wear masks and practice social distancing while in the studio. Please bring your own mats and cushions. Chairs will be provided.
Yoga Samadhi Tuesday Evening Schedule:
5:00 pm – Studio Opens
5:15 pm – One Hour Sitting Meditation (please arrive and be seated by 5:15 p.m.; silent with no instructions given)
Everyone is welcome no matter your experience or skill level. To preserve a sense of quiet and peace, we ask those who wish to participate in the 5:15 p.m. sit to stay for the entire hour. Please do not enter if you arrive after 5:15 p.m., and please feel free to return at 6:15 p.m.
Please send any questions about Yoga Samadhi Tuesday Teachings to: hermitage@abhayagiri.org
Construction Updates
The Abbot’s Kuti
Though the building climate and supply chain issues are challenging, progress is being made on the Abbot’s Kuti. Ajahn Sudanto and the Sanghata Board are already working with the contractor and the architect to ensure an Abbot’s Kuti that is beautiful and appropriate for the Hermitage, and construction will begin next spring.
General Maintenance and Beautification
There are several ongoing projects for the overall maintenance and beautification of the Hermitage:
The water system for the watershed is being finished, including improving driving access.
The monks have spent the last several weeks spring cleaning and painting the interior of the main Hermitage building.
2022 Pacific Crest Trail Hike
In mid-summer, the monks will be hiking a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mt. Adams to the Canadian border, over a period of two to three weeks. There will be opportunities to meet them and offer meals. There will also be opportunities to join the hike at various periods for a few days with the monks. If you are interested in either or both of these opportunities, please send an email to hermitage@abhayagiri.org, with the subject line “2022 PCT Hike.”
