Participants of the 2013 teachers meeting in the garden at Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji in Seattle.

Nurturing understanding and cooperation among diverse Buddhist traditions and practitioners is the mission of the Northwest Dharma Association. What better way than to bring together Buddhist teachers and monastics from across the region?

For the past 12 years, on the first Saturday of October, Buddhist teachers have been hosted by various Zen, Theravada, Tibetan, and Pure Land temples. These gatherings are a rare opportunity for Buddhist teachers and monastics from different cultures and traditions to spend a day getting to know one another and exploring issues of common interest and concern.

This year on Saturday, Oct. 4, two meetings will be held simultaneously, one in Oregon and the other in Washington. The Oregon meeting will be hosted by the Portland Insight Meditation Community. The Washington meeting will be hosted by the Seattle Choeizan Enkyoji Nichiren Buddhist Temple.

The meetings will include facilitated discussion on topics chosen by participants. Past meetings have focused on teaching styles and methods, teacher-student ethics, opportunities for social service, cultural differences among Buddhist traditions, and building communities of practice. The day will also include plenty of informal time to get to know one another, and lunch will be provided by NWDA.

If you’re interested in volunteering, or would like to learn more about the teachers’ gatherings, call George Draffan at 206-659-1954.