Dear Friends of Pārāyana Vihāra,
The Pārāyana Vihāra monastic community have settled into their winter meditation retreat, so this month’s newsletter is coming from us, the members of the Pārāyana Vihāra Board.
We are overjoyed at the current state of affairs at Pārāyana Vihāra: the Vihāra is growing and becoming a real place for women to take on the monastic form of the Theravada tradition and, as such, it is playing an important role in the revival of the Bhikkhunī Sangha.
A lot has happened this past year at the Vihara: The changing lineage ceremony of Ven. Sīlānandā and the taking precepts ceremony of Anāgārikā Khemā, Ven. Satimā’s addition to our monastic sangha, a very successful Almsgiving ceremony offered by Kate Hathirat which raised almost $40,000, Ayya Ānandabodhī’s teachings both locally and elsewhere, and the day-to-day organizing of our newly formed entity and community. Sāmanerī Junha has departed but she is continuing in monastic life. We are grateful for her service while she was with us, and we hope the training she received at Pārāyana Vihāra provides a springboard for her unfolding path.
We are pleased that Pārāyana Vihāra was able to continue our tradition of offering the New Year’s retreat on a dana basis. This is in the full spirit of the Theravada tradition. People support the monasteries within their means. Pārāyana Vihāra intends to keep offering this retreat for the foreseeable future.
Our endeavours would not have been possible without the generous support of so many people. The Clear Mountain monks, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho, together with the Clear Mountaineers created enduring friendship and brother-sisterhood in the Dhamma, and in turn creating the precious Fourfold Sangha, which is still rare in the world at this time. To our donors and volunteers of so many capacities both in Port Townsend, the Seattle area, California, and beyond, please keep it in your hearts that you have made the Bhikkhunī Sangha flourish, and may you have many blessings in the Dhamma and in life.
In the near future, we are looking to grow both our onsite and online presence. Our current place is too small both for the monastic sangha, and for the lay community who gather to hear the Dhamma. And we are considering ways to offer more online services and community connections.
Wishing you peace in these turbulent times,
Joan Keegan, Kate Hathirat, Robert Hohn
Pārāyana Vihāra Board Members
Retreats & Other Teachings
The monastic community will be in silent retreat at Parayana Vihara January 15 – March 18Join the monastic community for a Sunday Dhamma program in Port Townsend
*No programs Feb. 1 through Mar. 1 (resume Mar. 8 in Noble Silence)
Upcoming Retreats and Events
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!
June 25 – 27 Non-Residential Retreat in Port Townsend
Ayya Anandabodhi joins local Zen Priests in sharing Dhamma
Save the Date
Oct 23 – 29 Finding Refuge
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA
Registration opens July 5
Dec 27 – Jan 3 New Year Retreat – An Invitation to Simplicity and Letting Go
Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center, CA
Registration opens August 15
Offerings and Possibilities
Listen to Ayya Anandabodhi’s
Talks on Dharma Seed
Pārāyana Vihāra Meal Offering & Dana List
Your support of the community of Pārāyana Vihāra is deeply appreciated.
