Dear Friends,
Parayana Vihara is growing!
On November 21, Buddhist monastics from around the US and Canada gathered in Port Townsend to confer full ordination in the Theravada tradition to Venerable Silananda (previously Thubten Kunga Bhikshuni) who will live and train at Parayana Vihara. The Bhikkhuni Sangha present for this occasion appointed me to be the Bhikkhuni Preceptor. This is a first for me and a precious gift. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first Bhikkhuni Ordination ever to take place in Washington state!
See photos the ordination ceremony below.
On the same day, Bryanna, who has been a core member of the Clear Mountain community, took Anagarika precepts and is now beginning her monastic training at Parayana Vihara. She will be known by her Pali name, Anagarika Khema.
Venerable Satima, who arrived in early August, completed her first vassa (rains retreat) in November and has been warmly welcomed to continue her monastic training at Parayana Vihara.
I have appreciated the dedication to honesty and kindness that has been present on a daily basis in our resident community, as well as a deep commitment to meditation practice and to studying the Dhamma and discipline. It feels like together, we are a seed, a nucleus of potential, that if properly nurtured, can grow and bear great fruits in our own practice, and for future generations of women who seek to go forth in the bhikkhuni life – as well as all who can benefit from our practice. May it be so!
Save the Date! Thanks to the generous initiative of Kate Hathirat who stepped forward to sponsor this year’s Almsgiving Ceremony for Parayana Vihara, we will be gathering on December 7 at the Port Townsend Community Center, with a hybrid option to join online, for our 2nd annual Almsgiving Ceremony. We hope to see you there! The focus of the Almsgiving this year is to generate support for the growing monastic community. Visit our website for more information about this special event.
It is inspiring to see the development of the Fourfold or Multifold Assembly of Buddhist practitioners that is developing in the Pacific North West, and an honor to be part of this.
Sending metta and wishing you every support in realizing the Dhamma,
Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni
Serving as Bhikkhuni Preceptor for the first time.
Venerable Silananda receives ordination into the Theravada lineage from both the Bhikkhuni and Bhikkhu Sangha.[/caption]
The Parayana Vihara community celebrates the gathering of the Buddhist four-fold assembly of nuns, monks, lay women, and lay men for this special occasion.
Retreats & Other Teachings
Sundays at the Vihara
Nov 30 | Dec 14 | Dec 21
Fourth Sunday Dhamma
Dec 21 (online)
6:00 – 6:30pm: Community meet & greet
6:30 – 8:00pm: Dhamma program
Upcoming Retreats and Events
Dec 7 2nd Annual Almsgiving Ceremony for Parayana Vihara!
Port Townsend (hybrid)
Save the Date!
Dec 28 2015 – Jan 4 2026 New Year’s Retreat – An Invitation to Simplicity and Letting Go
Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center, CA
(Registration open!)
Mar 24 – 29 2026 Making the Mind Your Friend
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Barre, MA
(Registration open)
Mar 30 – Apr 8 Acceptance and Agency
Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA
(Registration open)
May 18 – 23 Silence Behind the Noise
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA
(Registration open)
Oct 23 – 29 Finding Refuge
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA
(Registration opens July 5)
Offerings and Possibilities
Guided Meditation
Transformation of the Heart
From “Deepening Into Wisdom and Love” Retreat 2025
Join Parayana Vihara’s 2nd Annual Almsgiving Ceremony!
for 265 women in Bhutan
November 2025
Pārāyana Vihāra Meal Offering & Dana List
Donate to Support the Monastic Community
