🪷🪷🪷 A wonderful year 🪷🪷🪷
It has been an amazing eight months at Passaddhi Vihara. We arrived in Olympia at the end of April. With the help of friends we quickly found a rental to start the first phase of Passaddhi Vihara.
Muditā and Andrew Paterson offer invitation to stay in Olympia for the Vassa
In Passaddi Vihara’s first phase, our focus has been on internal development (bhavana) to create a good basis for the monastery. Additionally, much work and love has gone into Dhamma programs, community building, and creating infrastructure.
Supporters generously provided funds for lodging for our first Vassa here in the Pacific Northwest. Both of us had three weeks of secluded retreat time at Passaddhi Vihara. Each of us took turns supporting the other’s seclusion by continuing programs and contact with the outside community.
We launched online Dhamma sharing and sutta studies, led forest meditation days and received invitations to offer some in-person and online Dhamma sharing, and short retreats.
Zoom teachings from Passaddhi Vihara
Now we look forward to our first winter retreat at Passaddhi Vihara! The retreat season is December 26 through April 6, 2025. Our aim is for a total of six weeks each of secluded retreat. We will continue the on-line zoom programs at the Vihara during this period of time. To support this, one of us will offer the Dhamma sharing and have contact with others while the other is in seclusion at the Vihara. People are welcome to continue to offer meals at the Vihara during this period of time. The one in seclusion will receive their meal in silence.
Ayyā Suvijjānā in meditation
We are grateful for the continued outpouring of support that is allowing us to have this time for Bhavana, Dhamma study, and sharing. We are thankful to all who have offered meals, supplies, rides, financial support and more.
Due to the level of support, we feel at ease in taking time for seclusion and internal development. We are deeply inspired to take up the Buddha’s directive to go into seclusion and practice for the peace of mind and knowledge leading to awakening. “Here are roots of trees and empty huts..”
Almsgiving Celebration cloth offering
Next year we will continue the programs already started, including:
- The first Wednesday of the Month at the Thai Temple Budarankura’s Theravada in Olympia English speaking program
- Weekly Zoom Tuesday Morning Sutta Study
- Twice monthly Thursday evening Dhamma Reflection
Ayyā Suvijjānā and Ayya Niyyānika each have ideas to increase the online programs in 2025. We also are making plans to hold a regular Sīla program at the Vihara. Additionally, they may add a second alms round to each week.
We will announce these changes in the spring after winter retreat.
Ayyā Suvijjānā and Ayya Niyyānika will lead a retreat at Cloud Mountain, September 5-10, for those with daily meditation practices who want to deepen practice with the elements and metta. Registration opens April 6th.
Additional half or full day forest meditation gatherings may also be scheduled.
Our aim is a balance of personal Dhamma practice and development with sharing Dhamma and community contact.
With friendship in the Dhamma,
Ayyā Suvijjānā Bhikkhunī and
Ayya Niyyānika Bhikkhunī
(photos here of the 2024 journey creating Passaddhi Vihara)
