Zoom with Ajahn Sona and Drop-In Halfday Retreat
Please join PFOD in welcoming Ajahn Sona, Abbot of Birken Forest Monastery in British Columbia, on Saturday, March 8, for a morning of Dhamma reflections and Q&A. Ajahn will be Zooming in, and attendees are welcome to attend remotely online or gather together at the Portland Dhamma Center to view Ajahn on a large-screen TV. There is an open, drop-in meditation period from 5 to 8 a.m. Please join at any time during one of the 10-minute breaks. Plan to attend the 8 a.m. meditation to prepare the mind and heart for Ajahn’s 9 a.m. appearance.
We expect there to be a large number of attendees on Zoom from Ajahn’s wider community. If you are local, we recommend you come to PFOD in person, particularly if you would like to ask a question of Ajahn.
Zoom from this link. Please enter the waiting room prior to 8 a.m. Pacific time to ensure a spot in the Zoom.
Drop-in Periods
5 a.m. Doors open
5:00-5:50 a.m. Sitting meditation
10 min break
6:00-6:50 a.m. Sitting meditation
10 min break
7:00-7:50 a.m. Sitting or walking meditation
10 min break
Event Start
8:00-8:30 a.m. Sitting meditation
15 min break
8:45-11 a.m. Ajahn Sona Dhamma talk and Q&A
- Welcome Ajahn Sona
- Requesting the Five Precepts
- Requesting a Dhamma talk
- Q&A with Ajahn Sona
- Pay respects to Ajahn Sona
11 a.m. Closing chant and potluck meal
Please bring a dish to share if you would like. All are welcome!
About Ajahn Sona
Ajahn Sona is Western Theravāda ordained monk. After several years of practicing as a lay hermit, he took full monastic ordination at the first Theravāda monastery in the United States in 1989. He trained as well in the Thai Forest Tradition and combines both Sri Lankan and Thai scholastic and meditative practice traditions with modern western sensibilities. His pre-monastic education is in philosophy, humanities, and specifically classical Western music. The monasteries which he has established in Canada are affiliated with a worldwide network of Western Thai Forest tradition monasteries. At the juncture of contemplative Buddhism he also is deeply interested in the ecological movements in this environmentally critical time, both at the practical and philosophical level. Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery reflects a response to the psychological demands on the individual and is at the cutting edge of best practices in environmental fields.
Dana: Support for Ajahn’s livelihood
Ajahn and Birken are completely supported by donations (dana in Pali). If you would like to help assure the monastery’s well-being, click here. Thank you!
Support for Portland Friends of the Dhamma
Your support helps us to continue hosting these freely offered events, and donations are gratefully accepted. Click here to learn more.