The Sanghas of Northwest Dharma Association bring together love and wisdom.

As Buddhists we know everything changes. Everything is subject to causes and conditions, and conditions are sometimes difficult. It’s an understatement to say that this year has been a challenge; for health, for social change, and for politics.

But in the middle of it we’re moving forward. In particular we’ve accomplished a major upgrade to our online directory of Buddhist groups and the calendar of their events. More than 180 groups already are in the directory, and we’re reaching out to more than 200 additional groups we know of with an open invitation:

Every Buddhist teacher and every Buddhist practice group in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia is invited to join the Northwest Dharma Association.

A gathering of Sanghas at Nalanda in 2018, just one of many gatherings catalyzed by Northwest Dharma Association.

We encourage groups to add themselves to the directory and to list their events in the calendar. When you register your group at Northwestdharma.org you can describe your lineage and practice schedule, link your website and contact information, and post your upcoming events and classes, both in-person and virtual. You can check here to see if your group is already in the directory.

We miss being together at centers and temples, and it’s been difficult for many centers to pay their rent and to support their teachers. Continue supporting them if you can!

The good news is that the world is still full of Dharma teaching and practice. Teachers and students have skillfully adapted to virtual teaching. Many groups are live streaming, and others are recording teachings for later release. Anyone with an internet connection can tap teachings from anywhere in the world, teachings and practice that are sorely needed.

The Northwest Dharma Association has also been affected by the pandemic and economic fallout. Our budget is down, and our traditional in-person events — like the Regional Teachers’ Gathering and the annual Celebrating the Sangha — are on hold. The good news is that “Northwest Dharma News,” now in its 33rd year, continues to publish the contributions of creative writers and Sangha members from around the region. You can always find the latest issue on our homepage.

We also send out a biweekly “Sangha Update” a regional potpourri containing announcements, highlighted Dharma groups, heads-up about events, reposted news items from big-city and small-town news sources, and even poetry and art. You can see past issues of the Sangha Update here.

You can subscribe to both “Northwest Dharma News” and “Sangha Updates” right here.

The Northwest Dharma Association includes virtually every Buddhist tradition, Eastern and Western, traditional and modern: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Pure Land, Vipassana, mindfulness, compassionate action. The association came together for just such times as these, when suffering threatens to overwhelm. But as Shin Buddhists say, the Buddhist practice of awareness and compassion can turn bits of rubble into gold.

“The marvel of transformation abounds in the world wherever the human spirit endures and soars. Bits of rubble turn into gold everywhere, if only we have eyes to see and heart to embrace the impossible possibility.”

– Taitetsu Unno

Please join Northwest Dharma Association in supporting Buddhist teachings, practice, and community across the region. Transformation awaits!