A Day with Monastics

Yesterday we had a delightful time in the presence four monks and an anagarika from Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Northern California. Two of the monks, Ajahn Sudanto and Ajahn Karunadhammo, have been staying at a summer hermitage established for them on property in the Columbia Gorge, east of Hood River, Oregon. Visiting the hermitage was Ajahn Pasanno, co-abbot of Abhayagiri, and his attendants. The hermitage, which will close near the end of October, is sponsored by Portland Friends of the Dhamma. Friends of the Dhamma and Abhayagiri are exploring the possibility of establishing a branch monastery in the Portland area. Pictured above are Ajahns Sudanto and Pasanno.

The occasion for yesterday’s gathering was a was community meal offering and picnic. One of the day’s highlights was a ceremony of offerings made by several of the children. Over the past few weeks, the children had received instructions on bowing and other forms of etiquette. The monks received a variety of sweets, toiletries, and socks.

The day began with morning meditation, followed by a tour of the property which took visitors down steep and narrow trails to the monks’ tents. After the offering, Ajahn Pasanno gave an outdoor dharma talk to the adults. Ajahn Sudanto hosted the kids in the small but comfortable dharma hall where he gave a talk and then led them on an excursion to find various things of interest on the property.

Aside from its stunning scenery, the Columbia Gorge is noted for its wind. Yesterday’s wind was chilly but bearable. Only an unattended chair or two got carried away by the occasional gust. The rest of us remained well-grounded.