On Sunday, December 7, a beautiful gathering took place at the Port Townsend Community Center to support Parayana Vihara and the growing bhikkhuni sangha in the Pacific Northwest. Around 50 people attended Parayana Vihara’s second Almsgiving Ceremony, including many friends from the greater Seattle area and as far away as Portland, OR. Ayya Suvijjana and Ayya Niyyanika of Passaddhi Vihara in Olympia also participated in the event.
Almsgiving ceremonies enable lay supporters to come together to celebrate the sangha and to offer robe cloth and other requisites to support their livelihood. A common type of almsgiving ceremony is the kathina, which takes place after a group of five or more fully ordained monastics complete their annual three-month rains retreat (Vassa).
Kate Hathirat, Parayana Vihara’s Board Treasurer, sponsored this year’s Almsgiving Ceremony and also led a matching gift campaign that raised over $38,000 to support the bhikkhunis. Many useful household items were also offered alongside the traditional robe cloth, which will be used to make a lower robe for one of the Parayana Vihara bhikkhunis.
The event began with a symbolic almsround in which attendees offered one spoonful of rice to each bhikkhuni. The gesture created a precious moment of connection between the giver and the receiver and served as a reminder of the traditional way that Buddhist monastics have received almsfood. A bountiful potluck meal then took place along with socializing amongst attendees.
After a short break, the monastics returned to chant and deliver Dhamma talks. Ayya Niyyanika began by leading the group in a breathing meditation, and Ayya Suvijjana shared interesting stories from suttas that speak to the importance and beauty of generosity. Ayya Anandabodhi spoke about generosity as a profound act of letting go that brings one in alignment with the ultimate goal of liberation.
Ajahns Nisabho and Kovilo from the Clear Mountain Monastery project popped in via Zoom while traveling on the road to express support and encouragement for the bhikkhuni sangha. Ajahn Nisabho said, “One of the most affirming elements of coming to the Northwest… has been seeing these bhikkhuni communities and our bhikkhuni siblings come nearby, and we feel just so heartened and encouraged and held in this kind of growing family and constellation of goodness.”
During the next segment, Kate made the formal offering of robe cloth to the sangha which was placed on a golden offering tray with a flower garland on top. The bhikkhunis led the recitation of a Sri Lankan refuge chant while the robe cloth was passed around to allow each attendee to participate and gain merit from the offering. Kate presented the robe bundle to the sangha, and a procession followed in which attendees offered gifts they had brought for the sangha. Two young children were present, and it was touching to see them offer spoonfuls of rice and gift bags to the bhikkhunis.
The Vihara would like to express our deep gratitude to Kate and all who participated in person and from further afield online. May the merits generated through your good actions be a source of joy and peace to you, creating a good foundation for your deepening practice and liberation!
