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A Buddhist Retreat in the Pacific Northwest

Cascade Hermitage

A Center of Dharma Near Winthrop, Washington

Cascade Hermitage plans to offer retreat time for monastics of all Buddhist traditions.

The vision for the hermitage includes a year-round monastic shelter, and a stewards’ home. A small community of three households that support and care for the property, Cascade Hermitage is situated on twenty forested acres and a half-mile of Wolf Creek stream frontage in the beautiful Methow Valley.  To learn more about the project or to get involved, sign up to our Newsletter or email us at cascadehermitage@gmail.com. To find other Dhamma offerings in the Pacific Northwest, visit the website of Seattle-based Clear Mountain Monastery. We look forward to hearing from you!

A Refuge for Sangha

As stewards of the hermitage, Sarah Conover and Doug Robnett hope to offer retreats to monks and nuns from both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, many of whom may give teachings during their stay. The Dharma of the Buddha is considered “priceless” and therefore all teachings are given freely. Some of the visiting monastics walk for alms each morning and may be encountered in Winthrop and Twisp in their colorful robes with alms bowls in hand. The hope is that  people will feel free to chat with them in a mutual getting-to-know you.

Join us for online & in-person teachings featuring monastic residents and friends of the hermitage. To hear about new events, subscribe to our Newsletter or YouTube channel. You may also email cascadehermitage@gmail.com with any questions. Welcome!

Events

Restraint, Patience, & Virtue (All the Unpopular Buddhist Topics): A Weekend Meditation Retreat with Ajahn Nisabho (In-person in Twisp, WA)

Sat. Oct. 7 & Sun. Oct. 8 2023, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Join Ajahn Nisabho for two days of meditation and teachings, 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, Oct. 7th, and Sunday, Oct. 8th, at the Twisp Valley Grange in Twisp, WA (344 W 2nd Ave, Twisp, WA). Note that Clear Mountain’s weekly Saturday in Seattle will still be held as usual.

In Buddhism’s coming to the West, several key teachings—such as patience, virtue, and restraint—have been underemphasized. However, these represent meaningful parts of the Buddhist path, and their omission can limit our practice. Using breath meditation as a basis, participants will have the opportunity to explore these key stepping stones on the path.

To register, email Sarah Conover cascadehermitage@gmail.comIn your email, you may ask about convenient places to stay, potential rideshares, and offer or request a ride on the rideshare board. As the Cascade Hermitage is working to develop a retreat for monastics, a work party to help build a hut for visiting monks and nuns is scheduled for the day following the retreat, Mon. Oct. 9, weather permitting. If you’re interested in staying an extra day to do good work in the woods with spiritual friends, just say so in your application email; good Dhammic fun!

To learn more, see the event listing. To register, email Sarah Conover cascadehermitage@gmail.com. Welcome!