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Newsletter Contents
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May 10 was the anniversary of our moving into the Passiddhi Vihara apartment in Olympia. We rejoice at the support of this new monastery and the commitment to Dhamma of the many people we knew before and met this year.
The photos below in this newsletter show the growth and warmth of the development of Passaddhi Vihara with much rejoicing. The photo above is of a fading tulip growing at the root of a gnarled tree. This image was taken while we were out walking one day after a disturbance in the area required us to change course from our standard route. The scene spoke of the beauty of a fading flower and the support of old roots. Even with some of the tree’s trunk cut away, it spoke of shelter and transitions.
As we all are rerouted in our lives, within a world fading from one season to another, we still pause in our journey and take in the beautiful roots and the still-standing trunk that continues to shelter and nourish us.
From the stable roots of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, we join in rejoicing in the new leaves and branches of Passaddhi Vihara as they unfurl and grow.
We are developing more programs and ways to engage with others locally and online. Now is the time of joy in community forming. In this newsletter, see the many ways to join and participate in the growth of Passaddhi Vihara.
We rejoice in our new, immediately next-door, Dhamma neighbor, Alex,
Forest walk with Alexandra
and the opportunity to meet people from around the world when they visit Olympia.
With much metta and rejoicing,
Ayya Suvijjānā Bhikkhunī and Ayya Niyyānika Bhikkhunī |
Sept ‘25 Cloud Mountain Retreat
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Grow with us through Volunteering
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Then at 1 pm the Volunteer Coordination begins!
Summer/Fall and Vassa Plans
The Bhikkhunīs each have opportunities for supported meditation retreats. These retreats will bracket their Vassa plans.
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Ayyā Suvijjānā will attend a month-long retreat led by Sayadaw U’Jagara and Ayyā Chandā for the month of July.
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Ayya Niyyānika will be at IMS from October 24 to December 4th with Bhante Buddharakkhita and others as retreat teachers.
Due to the timing of these retreats, the Ayyas will each determine Vassa with a different starting date.
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Ayya Niyyānika will enter First Vassa on July 10th and end First Vassa in October and go to IMS for six-weeks of retreat.
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Ayyā Suvijjānā will enter the Second Vassa on August 8th and will end Second Vassa in November.
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July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
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Ayyā Suvijjānā |
Retreat at Forest Refuge |
Enter 2nd Vassa |
Vassa |
Vassa |
End Vassa |
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Ayya Niyyānika |
Enter 1st Vassa |
Vassa |
Vassa |
End Vassa / Start Retreat |
Retreat at IMS |
It is with much joy, that within the first year and the coming year of Passaddhi Vihara, we are cultivating a balance of retreat for the monastics and Dhamma sharing.
We look forward to the development of community and of seclusion in harmonious balance.
New Programs
We now have Sila Celebration Sundays twice a month. All are welcome to come to the vihara to celebrate community in person. This is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to ethical conduct (sila), to hear and discuss Dhamma, and to form supportive friendships. It is a hybrid program, so even at a distance, you can be a part of the celebration.
Sila Celebration Program at Vihara and on Zoom
Two Sundays a month, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm (Pacific Time)
July schedule change! – Please check the calendar each month for which Sundays.
Next Sila Celebrations:
June 22th, July 6th, July 20th, Aug 3rd, Aug 17th
You are invited to the Vihara to take the Five or Eight Precepts, to share a meal, and for Dhamma sharing. You may also join by Zoom from 12 pm-1:30 pm PST.
10:30-11:00 pre-meal arrival at Vihara
11:00-12:00 meal offering and potluck
12:00-1:30 5 or 8 Precepts, Dhamma Sharing, Questions and Discussion
The Zoom link can be found on the Passaddhi Vihara events-programs webpage.
(The Sila program is twice a month in hybrid form. Locals are welcome to request precepts on other Sundays at the vihara as well, or on any day you come for a meal offering.)
Dhamma Reflection on Zoom
The Thursday evening program changed format to a Dhamma reflection leading into slightly guided meditation or contemplation followed by a silent meditation. It is now every Thursday.
The Zoom link can be found on the Passaddhi Vihara events-programs webpage.
New and Continued Alms Rounds |
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🎉 New Friday Alms Rounds and Tuesday Alms Rounds continue ❤️We met by happenstance an old friend on our first Friday alms round downtown Olympia. This was an auspicious and inspirational beginning to doing alms rounds weekly on Fridays and extending our downtown route.
Surprise meeting on Alms Round |
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Added on Fridays The monastics will take the 41 bus to downtown and will get off the bus at the transit mall about 10:50 am on Fridays. They will then walk a route downtown and arrive at the Farmers Market around 11:30 am. You are welcome to offer food along the route or at the Farmers Market. The monastics will eat their meal near the market. You are welcome to join and share a meal with them and others who might be participating. If anyone would like to discuss Dhamma after the meal, the monastics are happy to stay until the time they need to take the bus back to the Vihara. We rejoice in the generosity that makes alms rounds nourishing for body and practice and we rejoice in Dhamma connections during alms round. Tuesday alms rounds continue at the West Central Park. |
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Visiting Bhikkhunīs and Alms Rounds |
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Ayya Dhammavara |
Ayya Dhammavara, from Dhammadharini Monastery, will visit July 1st – 10th. Ayya Niyyanika and Ayya Dhammavara will be at the alms rounds Tuesday, July 1st and July 8th and at the Farmers Market on Friday, July 4th. Welcome to come celebrate together at the Market at 11:30 am. |
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Ayya Anandabodhi |
Ayya Satima |
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Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Satima will come from Parayana Vihara to join the Friday Alms Round at the Farmers Market on Friday, August 22nd. The alms meal that day will be nourishment for the Bhikkhuni Sangha’s recitation of the Patimokha later that afternoon. |
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Ayya Santussika |
Ayya Cittananda |
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Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda, from Karuna Buddhist Vihara, will visit October 9th – 10th, and join the Friday Alms Round at the Farmers Market on Friday, October 10th. |
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Upcoming Events
June 28th, Clear Mountain Monastery’s Almsgiving Ceremony
St. Mark’s Cathedral’s Bloedel Hall (enter through the back of the cathedral), 1245 10th Ave E. Seattle, WA.
Ayya Niyyanika will attend to represent Passaddhi Vihara and our friendship with the Clear Mountain bhikkhus and community. Meanwhile, Ayya Suvijjana will be preparing to depart for a month of retreat so we’ll share merits for Ayya to have a fruitful retreat.
Oregon Trips
Meditation and Dhamma talk at Pacific Northwest Meditation in Portland, OR
August 9th, 2025 4:30 – 6:30 pm (PT)
Both bhikkhunis will make two visits to Portland, OR this Fall to share Dhamma with three communities in Oregon.
“Good Friendship and Other Supports for the Path” talk by Ayyā Suvijjānā
Location: Multnomah Friends Meeting House, 4312 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/PNWMSat
Click here for more information.
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Meditation and Dhamma talk at Portland Insight Meditation Center (PIMC) in Portland, OR
August 10th, 2025 10 am – noon (PT)
Meditation and Dhamma talk at Portland Insight Meditation Center (PIMC) in Portland, OR
Location: Portland Insight Meditation Center, 6536 SE Duke Street, Portland, OR. talk by Ayya Niyyānika
More information and Zoom link.
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at Portland Friends of the Dhamma
September 27th – 29th, 2025
Tentative schedule:
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arrive Saturday, September 27th in the evening
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offer the Sunday Sila morning program, followed by the meal.
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offer a Sunday afternoon half-day meditation and Dhamma program.
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attend the silent sit Monday morning and attend the tea afterwards and be available for questions and conversation.
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then head back to Olympia.
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Additional Dhamma Offerings |
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Ayya Suvijjana’s additional offerings Ayya Suvijjana’s Anukampa Teaching “Developing Mindfulness Accompanied by a Boundless Heart” Anukampa Bhikkhuni Monastery has invited Ayya to offer a teaching while Ayya Chanda is away on retreat. This teaching will be given at Passaddhi Vihara and broadcast on the Anukampa Zoom account. October 5th, 11:30 am -1:00 pm PT Zoom |
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Ayya Niyyanika’s additional offerings (see event webpage for zoom links and more details closer to July)
Rainbodhi Interview July 6th 3 pm July Somatic Sutta Explorations at 9 am on Thursdays throughout July Be Queer Now Community Group for Common Ground Wednesday, September 3rd. 5:30 – 7:00pm Pacific Time |
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🌟 More info and Register HERE 🌟 It is common to compartmentalize our lives and shut off the awareness of our bodies at times so we can “do what needs to be done.” In many occupations, standard business practices seem to require a disconnect from awareness of the sensations of the heart and body, because such an awareness would impede business, or at least impede business-as-usual. The suttas seem to indicate that we don’t need to live in such a fragmented way and that ethical embodied awareness is for everyday, not just at times dedicated to religious or other scheduled wholesome practices. This program is designed to explore the path to freedom showcased in the suttas through somatic exercises. The exercises will be approached in a playful and curious manner that will support gradual growth of awareness, ease, and capacity to open to more compassion and wisdom. |
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