Portland Friends of the Dhamma

Asalha Puja at the Pacific Hermitage

Asalha Puja at the Pacific Hermitage

Join in a community meal offering and celebration of Asalha Puja at the Pacific Hermitage. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this family-friendly event! 

Three times a year, the community commemorates the primary Buddhist holy days at the Pacific Hermitage. Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day) will be marked on August 1 in the traditional way: Gathering at the monastery, offering a meal, taking the five precepts together, and talking on Dhamma with the monastics in residence. No prior experience with the monks or tradition is necessary.

If you plan to attend, please contact Jessica Swanson to RSVP so we can keep the Hermitage dana coordinator updated. Parking is tight, and carpools are encouraged!
The schedule is still fluid but in general:
  • Arrive by 10 a.m.
  • If you like, you can bring a meal or dish to share, already prepared and ready to go on the table when you arrive.
  • We will offer the meal by 11, eat, and clean up.
  • In addition, we will have time for chanting, taking precepts, a Dhamma reflection and conversation, and perhaps tours of the property.
  • The Hermitage is small so we will likely be outside on the patio, please watch the weather and wear appropriate clothing.
  • Families are welcome! There’s a big field, a small pond, and walking trails for kids to enjoy.
  • The event should wrap up around 2 p.m.

The Pacific Hermitage is a branch of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery nestled in the forest just outside White Salmon, Wash, in the Columbia River Gorge. It was established in 2010 by lay Buddhists from Portland Friends of the Dhamma and many others who support the Hermitage today.

Welcome

We hope you enjoy this four-minute video describing a bit of what we offer and what it’s like to first walk into our building.