Half Moon Observance Day

Location: Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery

Description: Abhayagiri's Lunar Observance Day Monastics walk for alms in Ukiah and Redwood Valley starting at 9 a.m. There is no morning meditation or chore period on the Lunar Observance Days. A small group of monks enters Ukiah and walks north on State Street from approximately 9:00-10:30 am accepting offerings of alms food as is the daily custom in Theravada countries. They can be met in front of the Safeway grocery store (on the sidewalk along State St.) around 9:15 am, or in Alex Thomas Plaza in the city center around 9:30 am. Another group of monks walks, starting at 8:30 am, north on East Road from the Redwood Valley town center, and a third group along Tomki Road, through the local Frey Vineyards. Evening chanting, meditation, taking of the precepts and a Dhamma talk will take place at Abhayagiri from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The evening continues with a meditation vigil through the night, with sitting and walking meditation as one wishes in half-hour segments. There is an intermission with tea and informal discussion at midnight, then sitting and walking resume until morning chanting at 3:00 a.m. Visitors are very welcome to attend as much of the night as they wish.

1st Tuesday at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery (led by Jill and Bruce Hyman this month)

Location: Berkeley Buddhist Monastery

Description: On the first Tuesday of every month, one of the senior monks from Abhayagiri visits Berkeley Buddhist Monastery to lead a session of chanting, meditation, and give a Dhamma talk. During the winter months of Jan, Feb, and Mar, when Abhayagiri is on winter retreat, there are substitute speakers. The event is from 7:30-9:30 pm. For March 5, 2013, Jill and Bruce Hyman, teachers from Insight Santa Cruz (check out their website), will be leading the evening program of chanting, meditation, and Dhamma reflections. Being long-time students of Buddhism and close friends of Abhayagiri, this will be their first time helping out with the winter months' facilitation of this group. Please come and join them this evening! Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703