As the practice of the Dhamma continues to influence our lives in profound ways, we would like to express not only our gratitude, but a wholesome desire to help bring to fruition a permanent home for Portland Friends of the Dhamma, so that it may establish itself as an important lay center in the Ajahn Chah lineage, and so that others who are on the Path may participate in a community of like-minded individuals, perhaps for many generations to come. 

Dear Friends,

Portland Friends of the Dhamma has a chance to purchase the Dharma Rain Zendo. After making a significant financial commitment to this cause, we three – Betsy Russell, Greg Satir and Adrienne Fuson – were inspired to write the above intention. We have found a real sense of joy in imagining our community in this magnificent space, and wonder, is this our Karmic path? We think the answer is a resounding YES!

On Saturday, June 29th, 2013 Luang Por Pasanno offered his support of this pursuit. It was after his inspiring talk that we made the following pledges:

• Betsy pledged $25,000 to kick-start a down payment as well as $500 a month
• Greg and Adrienne pledged $5,000 toward the down payment and a loan for the purchase
• In all, 21 community members pledged a total of $1,516 per month

And to our great delight, people continue to join in this very beautiful cause. As of September 18th, thirty-six supporters have pledged a total of $2,300 per month. We are now inspired to reach beyond word-of-mouth and invite you to join us in reflecting on the value of the Dhamma in your life:

• How does PFOD fit into your practice and your place on the Path (no matter how often you are able to visit, if ever)?
• Are you inspired to help sustain a lay Buddhist Center anchored in the Ajahn Chah Lineage?
• Do you benefit from the monastic visits?

The asking price of the building is $475,000. It’s a large sum indeed, however given the location and facilities, we feel it’s a perfect fit for PFOD.

The PFOD Board has reviewed the financials. The loan has been offered and the terms are promising. If we can gather committed pledges of $4,000 per month this project becomes a reality. We are more than half-way there!

While the Center will continue to offer events and teachings on a dana basis, the reality of our world includes costs and money. We are asking you to join us in pledging a monthly contribution as part of your practice.

Whatever is comfortable for you—$10 a month, $50 a month, $1,000 a month—will be received with the deepest gratitude.THANK YOU for considering helping to make this dream a reality.

To make a recurring or one-time donation, click here.

Importantly, if you do not have the means for financial support and would like to participate, there are many other ways you can help in this endeavor. Please contact us.

With our deepest bows and gratitude for your time, consideration and practice.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

Betsy Russell, Greg Satir and Adrienne Fuson

PFOD Community Members

In a tree-lined residential neighborhood just off Southeast 25th and Hawthorne in beautiful Portland Oregon, Buddhists have gathered for Dhamma instruction and meditation for more than 25 years. Kyogen and Gyokuko Carlson moved from California to Oregon in 1982. They eventually purchased a historic church (originally built in 1926) and established The Dharma Rain Zen Center.  They have since grown to be a large, vibrant Buddhist community and have secured several acres of land to build and better serve their continued growth. Their Zendo is now up for sale and the community of Portland Friends of the Dhamma wants to purchase it.

Imagine what it might feel like to walk into a space where thousands of people have contributed millions of hours of effort toward purifying their minds. Some say it’s downright palpable.

The 2,000-square-foot shrine room was built in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Heading downstairs, there is 2,500 square feet with a kitchen, a dining area, a large common room for classes, films or assemblies. It’s been a lovely space to host tea for our venerable monastics. There is an office space, an abundant storage area, two bathrooms and a separate entrance.

With the purchase of this building, we would have enough space to relaunch our full slate of programming and add new classes and gatherings, as well. The location is central, with easy transportation by foot, bike, bus or car (see map below).

Your board members are busy writing more content for this website and will be posting about expenses and fundraising efforts soon. If you have a suggestion for a post or would like to know specific information, drop us a line and we’ll get back to you personally. Or please sign up for our new twice monthly email newsletter by clicking here! We’ll make it easy for you to stay up to date on all the news about our journey to buy Dharma Rain Zendo, as well as monastic visits and volunteer opportunities.

 More on the Property at Portland Maps

And Google Maps

On Monday July 22, 2013 the Portland Friends of the Dhamma Board made the formal decision to pursue the purchase of Dharma Rain Zendo  (the building we are renting now) for our new home. Click on “A New Home?” or in the above menu bar for expanded information.

Perhaps you thought that we’d already done that. Quite understandable. However, so far we’ve been evaluating and reflecting on that possibility, and now we have a conclusion – we should buy it.

Obviously, the path to a purchase is not guaranteed and many hurdles lie ahead. Fortunately it seems many determined hurdlers stand ready. In fact some are already out of the starting blocks, powering deep into the first turn.

• Greg and Adrienne declared that they wish to provide PFoD with a loan to buy the building and are ready to work out terms with the board. Wow!
• Betsy Russell offered to start the down payment fund with $25,000, and together with Greg and Adrienne, to spearhead reaching out to the community to raise additional funds.

You are shaking your head in amazement aren’t you? I thought so. Such generosity and far sight are deeply inspiring: even more, to me it’s a moment together on the path itself. Thank you.

And there’s more … Rachel, Sallie, and Jessica are taking the lead on our communications hurdles; producing a simple bi-weekly newsletter to keep folks informed, doing weekly web and egroup updates, and extending our mailing list even to communities outside the region.

Our plans and actions won’t be perfect, it’s an stupendous task, I see us making it.
To you all, with hands together, on behalf of you all,
Your Board    (Alistair, Greg, Sakula, Jim, Mary, Jessica, Rachel, & Sallie)

The Proposal that was Approved

Recognizing the support shown by the monastic community and many in the lay community for the purchase of the Dharma Rain Zendo (DRZ), and recognizing the suitability and potential of the building itself, PFoD will pursue the purchase of Dharma Rain Zendo as its primary path to a new home. From now through Dec. 31, 2013, PFoD will seek to understand the risks and benefits therein, clarify financial obligations and come to a common understanding on these matters. We will seek to gather the necessary finances, negotiate a successful purchase, and identify any organizational changes necessary to manage the building effectively.

On this the PFoD Board is in full consent – July 22, 2013

Click on “A New Home?” or in the above menu bar for expanded information.

A Beautiful Short Story

On Saturday, June 29th, we held our first ever Community Benefit. We were a bit nervous, but there were beautiful displays, moving sharings, five venerable Bhikkhus teaching and encouraging, and by the end over $25,000 offered or pledged. That’s more than the TOTAL dana for the last 12 months. Yup. Oh, and Luang Por Pasanno offered a Buddha rupa too. You should have been there.

A Bountiful Longer Story

In the morning we sat. In the afternoon we reviewed our current homeless state, our financials, and Dharma Rain as a potential future home. We asked for people to make a one-year commitment of regular monthly dana to provide a the sound financial base we would need wherever we ended up.

By day’s end there were monthly pledges from 20 people ranging from $10 to $500 and totaling $1,625. That’s adds up to $19,500 for the year. Wow. Thank you. We also received over $1,100 in immediate cash donations.

In addition two other Buddhist groups are each prepared to contribute $250 a month for use of the building one evening a week. That’s another $500 a month which is $6,000 a year (assuming of course that we had the building.)

Our aim is to establish $4,000 in regular monthly contributions for one year. That would ensure we can operate the building, pay a mortgage on it and support programs and the spiritual director to at least the current level.

So 12 days after the Board met to talk about financing our next home, it looks like we are half way to our first goal. A great, great start. It will take many more people and a lot of reaching out to get the second half, but the opportunity is worth it.

A Double Bonus Appendix

There were two additional offerings in support of buying Dharma Rain

1 –  Luang Por Pasanno (no less) offered, should we manage to buy Dharma Rain, to gift a Buddha rupa suitable for the large shrine room. That seems auspicious to me.

2 – Two community members were already out of the starting blocks, pointing to the need for a down payment and their intention to help. Specifically one pledged $5000 to get that started and a the other said she’d like to offer a substantial sum when the time came. Ding! Ding!

… and your part in this story?

To enjoy what has been offered; to please make a pledge yourself; to reach out to others for their help and support; to come to Dharma Rain and see for yourself what could be.

Regards, Alistair Williamson
(on behalf of your grateful Board)