Practicing traditional Japanese drumming at the November “Celebrating the Sangha” event, in Seattle.
Photos by: George Draffan

Ananda said to the Buddha, “This is half of the holy life: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.”

The Buddha replied, “Don’t say that, Ananda. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When one has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, they can be expected to develop and pursue the noble eightfold path.”

This has been a rewarding autumn for us at Northwest Dharma Association.

People of all Buddhist traditions met over food at the “Celebrating the Sangha” event.

The Buddhist Recovery Summit in Lacey, Washington, was a reunion of old friends and new friends, practitioners, teachers and clinicians in the thriving Buddhist Recovery movement. Freeing ourselves and others from the sufferings of addiction is a natural for those studying the four noble truths, an ancient model of addiction and recovery.

In November a hundred people attended the “Celebrating the Sangha” event at Nalanda West in Seattle. It was a marathon exploring the dharma and its many communities of practice and expression in chanting, song, dance, clowning and art.

And our own Northwest Dharma News Editor Steve Wilhelm was instrumental in the re-opening of the meditation room at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the largest in Washington state.

Admirable friends, this is a personal invitation to YOU:

People from around the world met, and connected, at the Buddhist Recovery Summit 2017, in Lacey, Washington.

Buddhist ideas, practices and ethics are rapidly permeating society and contributing to many fields: psychology, health care, social service, art and literature, and more. What’s most inspiring to me is how these communities are joining in creative, practical responses to real-life suffering.

Please consider partnering with the Northwest Dharma Association, the pioneering regional community of Buddhist individuals and groups. NWDA brings people together, and you can make a difference! If you know of a Buddhist group that is not yet a member of NWDA, please ask them to join. Send us news tips about Buddhist happenings in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Idaho, or Montana. Volunteer to help organize or host events. Participate in the development of NWDA’s Contemplative Caregiving or Inclusive Communities programs.

You’re invited, and NWDA needs you!