Āsāḷha Pūjā - Full Moon Observance Day

Description: Āsāḷha Pūjā commemorates the Buddha's first discourse, given to the five samanas in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The traditional Rainy-Season Retreat (Vassa) begins on the next day.

Chanting begins at 7pm followed by a period of silent meditation and a Dhamma talk given by a senior monk. This will be followed by circumambulation with candles, flowers and incense. 

Day visitors may arrive early at 5:30pm for tea time if they wish to participate in a question and answer session with a monastic. 

The puja and Dhamma talk can also be viewed on the Abhayagiri YouTube channel.

Alms Round in Ukiah and Redwood Valley

Description: Monastics walk for alms in Ukiah and Redwood Valley starting at 9 a.m. 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 Buddhist 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 north East Road from the Redwood Valley town center starting at 8:40 am. A third group walks along Tomki Road, through the local Frey Vineyards.