NWDA News

Inviting Dialogue Among Buddhist Traditions

In 2013, monastics gathered at Seattle University, and led a procession through the campus, in honor of Vesakha.

Next spring Northwest Dharma Association will support a series of conversations among Buddhist teachers, leaders, and practitioners, as part of the annual Vesakha Buddha day. Our plan is to explore the challenging dynamics and wonderful opportunities available in the rich arena of Buddhist diversity. Vesakha, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, is universally shared among Buddhist…

Dharma in Canada

Kathok Centre Programs, Buildings, Grew in 2016

Sangha members making tormas, traditional Tibetan offerings of flour and butter, before a Vajrasattva retreat.

For Kathok Centre , a traditional Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist center on Canada’s Vancouver Island, 2016 was a year of firsts. We held our first traditional Vajrasattva retreat with Venerable Lingtrul Rinpoche, expanded our temple facilities, and launched a community outreach program we’re calling Compassion in Action Services. In addition we completed a beautiful guest suite, so people can stay for…

Compassionate Action

Seattle Buddhist Peace Fellowship Sits
Before Black Friday Black Lives Matter Protests

Elaine Waller-Rose, foreground, a social worker sitting with the group, called it “something beautiful.”

About 50 silent meditators gathered in Seattle’s Westlake Mall on Black Friday, to support the Black Lives Matter protests that followed soon after. The meditators were associated with the Seattle chapter of Buddhist Peace Fellowship. They laid out sheets and yoga mats on the pavement and silently sat and stood meditating, despite the cacophony of holiday shoppers and loud Christmas music immediately nearby. For more than 30 minutes the meditators stayed mostly immobile, creating a zone of peace. People passing by took cell phone photos, and seemed respectful. This was the second time Buddhist Peace Fellowship has opened the Black Friday demonstrations…

Dharma Education

Washington Nun One of Six From North America
Awarded in Global Ceremony in Taiwan

Venerable Thubten Chodron receives the Global Bhikkhuni Award from the 90-year old chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Jen Shin.

Venerable Thubten Chodron— a Buddhist nun, author, teacher, and founder of Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington— in November was given the Global Bhikkhuni Award. The award, one of 50 presented to leading nuns by the Chinese Buddhist Bhikkhuni Association of Taiwan, was given during six days of ceremonies Nov. 17 through 23. The ceremonies were conducted in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan….

Sangha News

Widening the Dharma Gate with New Home,
Ashland Zen Center Begins Residential Practice

Sangha hands keep the facility in good repair. In 2016, members apply a fresh coat of stain to the entry gate.

The Ashland Zen Center is preparing to take a big step into residential practice by breaking ground for new facilities. The project will include long and short-term residential housing for retreatants, a dorm for meditation intensives, a gathering hall, kitchen, meeting spaces and support facilities. It is both exciting and humbling when we reflect on how we have arrived at…