March 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends in the Dhamma,

Warm and loving greetings. May this find you well and safe.

Our Winter Retreat

It has been very precious having time to deepen our spiritual practice over these past two months, focusing on sati (presence), metta (loving-kindness), and karuna (that deep wish for all beings to be safe and well), and samadhi (collectedness of mind). Thank you to all who have supported us in any way!

We share the blessings of our practice each day with you and all beings, knowing that there is much turmoil and suffering in the lives of so many people, far and near. Centering in presence and strengthening compassion and wisdom feels essential for us all at this time.

Expanding the Vihara

By great good fortune, on March 15 the ADU next door came up for rent and Parayana Vihara now encompasses the whole house (1440 and 1442 Gise Street, Port Townsend). The kitchen and dana sala (dining area) has now moved next door, creating a dedicated shrine room and practice area downstairs in the original building where the monastics live.

All in all, this brings more cohesion to the vihara and creates clearer areas for quiet practice, for cooking and eating, and for meetings and discussion. The move happened right as our retreat came to an end – Springtime brings its own creativity and chaos. 

Celebration of Life for Venerable Pannavati Mahatheri

In April, Ven Satima and I will go to Heartwood Refuge in NC to attend the Celebration of Life of Venerable Pannavati Mahatheri, who passed away peacefully on February 26 with her close disciples around her. Ven Pannavati was a great pioneer of the Bhikkhuni Sangha and a true bodhisattva. She was was tireless in finding opportunities to benefit beings in so many ways, including her deep dedication to sharing the Dharma. She has been a dear friend and an inspiring example to me and to many. I am blessed to have known her. 

The Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering

Parayana Vihara is working with MaggaSekha and Sravasti Abbey to organize a Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering (WBMG) in WA this year. These gatherings were held annually for over 20 years in the US, as a support for western monastics who don’t have the benefit of being in a Buddhist country with the natural Dhamma supports that provides. This will be the first in-person WBMG since the COVID pandemic. We look forward to seeing old monastic friends and elders there and making new friends.

We Received our 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status! 

On March 8, Parayana Vihara received our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status! This gives us greater stability as a nonprofit – dedicated to supporting the monastic community and sharing the Dhamma – and makes it easier to receive grants and other donations. We are delighted that this went smoothly.

Centering Amidst the Storms

As the world moves toward more chaos, and uncertainty, this is a time to get serious about what matters in your life. I don’t mean doing everything on your bucket list, but remembering what is important in the depth of your heart. The Buddha reminds us with some urgency that Samsara is beginningless, but there is a way out of this painful cycle, which is to root out greed, hatred and confusion in our own hearts and minds and encourage that in others. Not an easy task, but we are witnessing on the world stage the results of following those three poisons, which may be incentive enough. 

The five spiritual faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, collectedness, and wisdom work together to support a life of integrity and ripen in spiritual awakening. Compassion and care are essential qualities in this life’s path too.

Please take care of your heart and mind – it is of utmost importance.

With metta,
Ayya Anandabodhi

Photo above by Ed Ritger