NWDA News

Everything Changes, Making Everything Possible

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…

Dharma in Canada

Canada’s Banyen Books & Sound: 50 years
Of Sanctuary, Dharma and Wisdom Traditions

Banyen Book and Sound’s storefront is a Vancouver landmark, between downtown and the University of British Columbia

Despite the pandemic Banyen Books & Sound of Vancouver continues, offering what may be largest inventory of Buddhist titles in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Banyen Books & Sound has weathered the rise of box stores, mega-online companies, rising rental costs in Vancouver, global recession, and a pandemic, and still exists and serves the community. Banyen carries about 1,700 Buddhist titles, as well as a vast selection of titles from every other spiritual tradition. Vancouver, B.C.’s legendary bookstore continues at 50 years as a Dharma watering hole, a meeting place, and an oasis of inspiration. “It’s delightful to…

Compassionate Action

Walking Mindfully, Compassionately, and Bravely

People gathered at Portland’s Chapman Square Park on July 14 for the first meditation for Black lives

Members of Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship witnessed against racism this fall, by practicing walking and sitting meditation at the epicenter of 130 days of protests following the May 25 murder of George Floyd. The Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship (PBPF) summer actions on behalf of Black lives were more consistent and vigorous than anything the chapter had previously done, despite vigorous witnessing of injustice for the last three years. In 2017 Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship held public meditations in conjunction with anti-fascist actions. From 2018 to 2020 they held a monthly “Thawing ICE” walking meditation, circling the local Immigration and Customs…

Dharma Arts

Kagyu Retreat Center to Bloom on Sacred Land

Ven. Khenpo Lama Karma Namgyel Rinpoche says the 40-acre retreat land “Is a perfect place to establish peace and harmony in our world.” Mt. Adams, at 12,280 feet in height, rises in the background

Five years after students of Ven. Khenpo Karma Namgyel started looking for retreat land, purchase of a 40-acre site in southern Washington state is nearly done. The new facility, to be called the Drukpa Mila Retreat Center, is near the town of Lyle, Washington. The site is about 90 miles east of Portland, on the north side of the Columbia River. Building and construction on the land will begin in 2021, after the land purchase has been completed. However lack of facilities has not stopped Dharma activity, and small groups have gathered for land blessing ceremonies and prayers. Developing the…

Dharma Education

Despite COVID-19, Cloud Mountain Safely
Reopens Its Doors for Residential Retreats

Tim Geil leads retreatants wearing masks, separated by 8 - 10 feet of social distancing and with open windows, in Cloud Mountain’s Diamond Hall

Amid the flux and change of COVID-19 conditions, Cloud Mountain Retreat Center has been incrementally re-opening its doors for onsite retreat activities. Beginning in August staff began offering what they call “supported self-retreat.” In November Cloud Mountain managed to safely offer its first group residential retreat in eight months, then was forced to reverse after new pandemic restrictions were enforced on the West Coast. Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, in southwest Washington state, is a residential, non-sectarian Buddhist retreat center that has offered Dharma retreats for over 35 years. While other Dharma centers and organizations throughout the U.S. have responded to…

Sangha News

Letting Go: Two NW Sanghas Embrace Impermanence

Time for change, packing up Seattle Soto Zen in Seattle

Red Cedar Zen in Bellingham, and Seattle Soto Zen in Seattle, both let go of their physical zendos during the 2020 pandemic. Both Sanghas continue to offer Soto Zen practice online every week, and will initiate searches for new zendos in 2021. Daily practice goes on in these well-established Northwest Sanghas, despite transitioning to Zoom online and despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone feels the strain of quarantine, and widespread uncertainty and fear during this time. The economic turndown is straining Zen groups and families and individuals, as well as the businesses and institutions upon which they…