NWDA News

NWDA Bringing Dharma Brightness Into 2026

As we emerge from a year of global strife and tumult in 2025, with likely more coming in 2026, the collective compassion and wisdom of dharma groups throughout the region can seem like the calm eye of a hurricane.

As a collective of individual sanghas in many traditions, with roots in many nations, we support each other fully. Just in our awareness of each other, there is strength to withstand the storms.

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Compassionate Action

Tibetan Community Center opens in North Seattle

Members of the Tibetan community dancing gorshey, a Tibetan circle dance during the open house outside the Tibetan Community Center
Members of the Tibetan community dancing gorshey, a Tibetan circle dance during the open house outside the Tibetan Community Center.
Photos by: Kurt Smith

Tibetans have lived in the Puget Sound region for over three decades, and finally the Tibetan community has the Tibetan Community Center as a place they can call home.

On May 5, 2025, the Tibetan Association of Washington took possession of a building along Lake City Way in north Seattle, to become their first Tibetan cultural and community center. The mixed-use commercial building, which formerly housed multiple offices and retail space, was acquired by the association in May for about $1.2 million.

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Dharma Education

Transforming Transgression: Portland Shambhala Surviving the Shambhacalypse

Portland sangha members, who have been in deep dialogue about the Shambhala issues, at a community meeting in early 2025.
Portland sangha members, who have been in deep dialogue about the Shambhala issues, at a community meeting in early 2025.
Photos by: Bruno Linares, Ben Martens, Abbey Pleviak , Robert Del Tredici

When Northwest Dharma News asked for the story of how (and why) our Portland Shambhala sangha has weathered the scandals of previous years, we obliged. After all, what could we say that would be more damaging than the bad press that’s only a short Google search away for any curious reader? While there’s been a lot of ink spilled on the issues at the top of the organization, there hasn’t been a lot of focus on the impacts for individual Shambhala centers around the world.

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Dharma Healing, Arts

Volunteers, Generosity, Restore Seattle Betsuin After 2024 Arson Fire Nearly Destroyed Temple

In December Sunday service returned to borrowed space at the Densho Digital Repository’s community room, while the gym is being renovated. Head Minister Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki is shown giving the dharma message beside the borrowed home altar.
In December Sunday service returned to borrowed space at the Densho Digital Repository’s community room, while the gym is being renovated. Head Minister Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki is shown giving the dharma message beside the borrowed home altar.
Photos by: Courtesy of Seattle Betsuin

Two years after Seattle Betsuin Temple was swept by an arson’s fire and penetrated the entire complex with smoke, Seattle’s oldest Buddhist structure is nearing complete restoration.

The Memorial Hall, which is the east wing of the temple complex, is where the fire erupted and sustained the greatest damage. Its reconstruction is nearly complete. The Main Hall, where services take place, was permeated with smoke into subflooring, inside pillars and attic, and is cleaned, refurbished, and renewed.

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Sangha News

Clear Mountain Finds 90 Acres for Planned Monastery

Saturday morning gatherings have steadily grown, at the St. Mark’s Cathedral Skinner auditorium. Often more than 70 people attend, from around the region and online.
Saturday morning gatherings have steadily grown, at the St. Mark’s Cathedral Skinner auditorium. Often more than 70 people attend, from around the region and online.
Photos by: Chia-Yung Wu

After three years of searching for a monastery site, the Clear Mountain Monastery community has contracted to buy nearly 90 acres of forested land, just 32 miles east of downtown Seattle.

Now the supporting lay community has three months, until the end of March, to offer about $600,000 in donations to meet the land price of about $4.93 million. As of Dec. 26 already 86 percent of the final price had been donated, an accumulation of generosity over the last four years. Any donations are welcomed here.

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