Sangha Service Day: Meal Offering

Sangha Service Day at Pacific Hermitage is a Buddhist meal offering and community gathering in White Salmon, Washington, for people from the Portland sangha and anyone drawn to Theravada practice. Together we offer a meal to the three monks who live full-time at Pacific Hermitage, eat with them, and spend time in conversation. The monks are in the Ajahn Chah lineage and often travel to Portland to give teachings, so for some this is a chance to visit them at home.

The day is part of a monthly series that alternates between daylong meditation retreats and service days. Service days put the Buddha's teaching on sīla, virtuous action, into practice through generosity and loving-kindness. They are also an informal way to build spiritual friendship, which the Buddha described as the whole of the path.

What to Expect

The day runs from 9 am to about 2:30 pm. The flow is simple:

- 9:00 am: gather in Portland for carpooling (optional)
- 10:15 am: arrive at the hermitage
- 11:00 am: offer the meal to the resident monastics, then eat together
- About 12:00 pm: meet informally with the monks, ask questions, and join a dhamma discussion
- About 1:00 pm: departure

Think of it as a potluck where three of the guests may not prepare anything and eat only once a day. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, with time to talk with the residents rather than only listen to them.

The Setting

Pacific Hermitage is a quiet, peaceful hermitage in White Salmon, Washington, where three monks live and practice. The shared lunch is eaten at the hermitage. Those coming from Portland can carpool, arranged by email once you RSVP. If you want a ride, include the requested carpool information with your RSVP so rides can be organized in time.

Before You Go

No particular level of meditation experience is needed. The day is built around sharing a meal and conversation, and it is held in English.

- RSVP by email is requested.
- Bringing food is welcome but not required.
- Shared lunch with the resident monastics is part of the day.
- Transportation to White Salmon is not provided unless you join the optional carpool.

The hermitage keeps a Q&A about the practice of meal offering, which is worth reading beforehand if you are new to the custom.