Pacific Hermitage

Coming and Goings

• Early November Ajahn Sudanto and a large group of Upasikas from Portland Friends of the Dhamma were able to gather together with the Sangha at Abhayagiri Monastery for the events of the annual Kathina Ceremonies.

• Mid November Ajahn Sudanto, Venerable Jotimanto and a couple Dhamma friends from Portland drove up for a weeklong visit to Birken Forest Monastery, and to bring Ven. Jotimanto for an planned extended period practicing at Birken with Ajahn Sona.
• Ajahn Sudanto will be departing Thursday December 5th for several weeks in Japan and Thailand visiting friends, teachers and fellow monks. He’ll return Janruary 9th, along with Venerable Hemako from Abhayagiri (see below), who will be spending the Winter Retreat Period at the Hermitage.

Winter Break for Yoga Samadhi Meditations

With Ajahn Sudanto away in asia for several weeks, the weekly Tuesday meditation events at Yoga Samadhi will be on winter break from December 10th – January 7th. They will resume after the New Year on January 14th.

2025 Birken Retreat Registration is Open

Read the featured post on our home page for details and a link to the registration form.
We will be accepting registrations from Dec. 1 – Jan. 18th.

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Typically, on the first weekend of October, we host our “Woodchucker’s Ball”—the final Garden Party of the year. During this event, volunteers help the monks split, stack, and prepare firewood for the Hermitage House and winter heating. However, due to an abundance of firewood from previous years and a scheduling conflict, we won’t be holding the October event this year.

A Note of Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have attended our past events and supported the care of the Hermitage’s forest and grounds. Your participation and friendship have been invaluable to the monks. We’d also like to give special recognition to Ian, who dedicated 2-3 days weekly for many weeks this summer, helping with forest and garden work at the Hermitage.

Fall and Winter Suspension

As a reminder, Garden Parties will be suspended throughout the fall and winter seasons, as is our usual practice during the colder months. They will resume in early April next year. We look forward to welcoming you back for another season of community and support for the Hermitage forest and grounds. We’ll provide updates on our winter activities and share news about our spring events as the time approaches.

Thank you again for your continued support of the Hermitage and its grounds. We look forward to seeing you in the spring!

Since the time of the Buddha, Pah Bah celebrations have offered a chance for monastics and lay people to celebrate our interdependence. How fortunate that we as lay people have the opportunity to draw near to the Sangha and hear the Dhamma! The Pacific Hermitage’s Pah Bah weekend is just around the corner on September 14th & 15 in Underwood, Washington.

This year, the Sanghata Foundation is delighted to welcome monks from Abhayagiri and Clear Mountain Monasteries. Joining Ajahn Sudanto and the Pacific Hermitage monks will be Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Karunadhammo and other monastics from Abhayagiri, and Ajahn Kovilo from Clear Mountain.

All events for this joyful occasion will be held at the Underwood Community Center, 951 School House Rd, Underwood, WA.

Schedule & Details

Saturday Sept 14th

• 1:00 – 5:00 PM: Meditation Retreat

There will be structured periods of sitting and walking meditation, and Dhamma reflections. This is a lovely opportunity to settle into the weekend and connect with the community. Please bring a zafu or cushion if you need one, as there are not enough for all.

Sunday Sept 15th

• 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Meal Offering
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Pah Bah Ceremony and Dhamma Reflections

If you are attending the Sunday meal, please bring a dish to share to the venue’s kitchen, and be settled into your seat by 10:30. Otherwise, to attend the afternoon’s event please arrive by 12:30.

The monks will be available in the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday to talk with guests and take photos.

Donations will support the development of the “Monks’ Retreat House” project.

We are excited to be working on this new project supporting elders in our lineage. The primary purpose of this two-story dwelling is to comfortably accommodate senior monks for visits and periods of solitary retreat. Features include an accessible sleeping room with an en-suite bathroom, separate living space for an attendant, a kitchenette, restrooms, and an elegant meditation and gathering space with expansive views of the forest.

Join Us

You can attend any or all of the days’ events, it is a great opportunity to connect with the Sangha and the community. Families are welcome! There is a big field, sports courts, and a playground for kids.

If you are interested in helping or volunteering on either of the days, please contact jessicaswanson@gmail.com. 

Learn more or donate at PacificHermitage.org.

“…This is the entire holy life Ānanda, that is, good friendship, good companionship, good comradeship. When a bhikkhu has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.”

-SN 45.2

Special Events in June

We are thrilled to welcome Luang Por Pasanno, Guiding Elder at Abhayagiri Monastery, along with Ajahn Karunadhammo, Ajahn Ṭhitapañño, Ajahn Kai (who recently arrived from Thailand), and Debbie Stamp for a visit to Portland and White Salmon this month.  They will arrive on June 21^st and will remain in Portland through the meal on June 24^th.   They will then go to the Pacific Hermitage until they return to Abhayagiri the morning of Wednesday June 26^th.

Luang Por Pasanno and the group, along with Ajahn Sudanto and Tan Dhammavaro, are to be special guests at the events at Portland Friends of the Dhamma (PFoD) on June 22^nd and 23^rd.

• Saturday, June 22:  The “Counting our Blessings” event in support of PFoD will take place from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  This auspicious occasion will honor Sakula’s transition from Spiritual Director at PFoD to Guiding Elder, and welcome Jessica Swanson to the role of Spiritual Director and lay minister.

• Sunday June 23:  This extended Sunday Sila will run from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The schedule has time for meditation, Dhamma reflection, a potluck meal, and Q&A. 

While in White Salmon, the Abhayagiri monks will join us at Yoga Samadhi on Tuesday evening the 25^th, and Luang Por Pasanno will offer the Dhamma reflection.

We are looking forward to these events, and hope you can join us.