What is it like to give and receive the Dhamma in this time of the coronavirus global pandemic? It’s like this. We Zoom. We make videos for the children. We receive words of encouragement. We receive support from our renters and from our virtual dana bowl.

We Zoom Our Programs

Online programs and workshops hosted by PFOD – Online Monasitcs affiliated with PFoD

Sunday Sila – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. is now given interactively as a large online group.  The morning includes silent meditations, reflections, and a video chat. Attendance is at or above usual numbers. An audio of the Dhamma Reflections is recorded and will soon be posted to our website and listed under Teachings. Kristen and her daughter have been avid Friends of Dhamma zoomers on Sunday Sila.

“Not being good with technology, for me it’s amazingly easy to click a link and with no effort be taken right into it,” said Kristen. ” I appreciate all the behind-the-scenes work to set up the equipment and send the emails with the link. It means I get to see live people, my friends, my community. Being with everyone is so heartwarming. Also, I like seeing everyone at home with their comfy chairs, cushions, and altars. It feels like we’re all together in this practice. Seeing the names with the faces is like meeting new people.” She added, “I’m glad that people at a distance and those who can’t leave home can also join in.”

Tuesday Reflections – 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. is also now online and like always, begins with a guided meditation, a reflection on a practice topic, and, time willing, a group chat to reflect on practice, share our joys and challenges, and or ask questions — all while enjoying each other’s company while snug in our individual homes.

“I am so grateful to Jessica for her support of the Tuesday Reflections folks. Many people have shared with me how happy they feel after having spending their time in contact with this group.” 

Sakula

Friday Investigations – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. can also be joined online. As with Sunday Sila, these groups begin with a meditation followed by reflections and interactive participation. An added benefit is that Sunday Sila sessions Dhamma reflections are recorded for the Friends of Dhamma Podcast and remain available there for later listening. We are so grateful that members of the community have whole-heartedly stepped forward to help with financial and in-kind support for sound and video equipment and Zoom subscriptions.

“With the onset of the quarantine and PFOD programs being moved online, we have the joy of attending Investigations again, from Bend, OR…sitting together in silence and then sharing Dhamma with our Portland friends has been delightful. Anumodana!

Joan and Scott Benge

 

We Make Video’s for Our Children

The children in our community have a new treat to look forward to. videos on our YouTube channel from Jessica and her family. “Star Meditation” and “I Know You Are But What Am I?” teach activities that children and parents can do together learning skills and values.

And there’s more, for a complete list click here.

We Receive Words of Encouragement

As our community members and teachers step forward to find novel ways of sharing Dhamma with one another during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, perhaps one of the most heartening gifts are the messages of encouragement from our monastic and lay teachers at a distance. Luang Por Pasanno (กำลังใจจากหลวงพ่อปสันโน)  Ajahn Sudanto, Ayya Santussikā, and several others have sent video, audio, or written messages made specifically for Portland Friends of the Dhamma. We are so grateful for such support from these wonderful teachers.

We Recieve Support from Each Other

We are all one community and our care and compassion for each other is connected and felt.  During this unusual time, I would like to share with you a new PFOD program called Hand to Heart. This is available to anyone in our community who may need assistance.  This assistance may be for food or staples such as TP, medicines, fluids, including covering the cost and delivery. We want to help and we have a generous donation strictly directed to support those in need.

“Being able to share with the community in need from PFOD is perfect, so thank you for this opportunity.” Donor

Warmly,
Jane
Contact: Jane Meskill 

We Recieve Support from Our Renters

Portland Friends of the Dhamma leases space in our Center to three Buddhist organizations and one professional counselor. Knowing our renters would not be able to access the building for two or more months, the Board offered discounts to each. What a lovely surprise we received when some renters chose to pay in full and none requested to break their lease! Bonnie Wilson, our Treasurer, remembers receiving notes, with one of them reading,

This pandemic has made us rethink everything. All our assumptions about the year have been changed.”

She went on to share, 

Because our cash flow is so close to the bone, we were thrilled our renters were able to maintain this level of commitment to us when their income is also at risk. I can’t tell you how humbling and heartwarming is was to see those checks come in. It means we are closer to knowing we will be fine.”

And From Our Virtual Dana Bowl

The dana bowl has been part of PFOD since the beginning. Many community members have enjoyed leaving dana after a meditation, class, or workshop. For years PFOD had a simple woven bowl, eventually replaced by a wooden box. Between $500 to $700 a month has been consistently given this way, providing much-needed and deeply appreciated support. Now that all our gatherings are online, our dana bowl has gone online too. You can help us maintain our urban refuge so one day, we can reunite, in the city, in a BIG IN-PERSON Celebration!