Thanksgiving Retreat 2023
2023 Thanksgiving Retreat
Led by Ajahn Karunadhammo, Ajahn Nyaniko and
the Abhayagiri Community
November 19-26, 2023 at Applegate Retreat Center, Applegate, CA
Abhayagiri Monastery in Redwood Valley, California and the Sanghapala Foundation invite you to join the Abhayagiri Community for an eight day residential retreat over Thanksgiving. Although zoom has been a great support over the time of the pandemic, we are very happy that we can be together in person again.
The retreat will be held from Sunday afternoon, November 19th, through Sunday morning, November 26, 2023, at the Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center, near the Sierra foothills. It’s a beautiful, very private 350-acre center, nestled in California’s historic gold country. The closest airport is Sacramento, about 50 miles SW of the center.
We will create a monastery environment during our time together, and we offer you this opportunity to explore the Dhamma in a setting that differs somewhat from a typical meditation retreat. We will all live the monastery life, following the Eight Precepts, taking only what is offered, and attempting to reflect on our every activity as part of our practice. This will include noble silence, morning and evening chanting, sitting and walking meditation, and daily Dhamma talks and teachings.
Because of the length of this retreat and the adherence to the Eight Precepts, you must previously have sat at least one five-day meditation retreat. Retreatants are requested to attend the entire retreat, from registration time to the closing ceremony on Sunday morning at approx. 10:30am. The facility is accessible for people in wheelchairs. We are unable to accommodate special dietary or environmental needs. We will eat a hearty breakfast and, in keeping with this monastic tradition, the daily meal (vegetarian) is eaten before noon; there is no evening meal or use of kitchen. Incense and candles are used at the morning and evening chanting periods.
Covid Protocol
The Applegate Center is a double-occupancy rooming setup. Covid continues to play a factor in the world and as a community we will mindfully follow a safety protocol before and during the retreat. Although current covid information may not be applicable at the time of the retreat, everyone will be asked to take extra precaution in the two weeks before opening day. Everyone will be required to take a covid antigen test within 24 hrs of arrival at Applegate Center. More information will be provided as we get closer.
The retreat will be offered solely on dana (free will donations). There is no set fee.
Upon registration a refundable $200 deposit is required. Receipt of your deposit will confirm your place in the retreat. Before registering please consider your ability to fully commit to attending. Cancellations have a significant impact and as we get closer to opening day we may not be able to fill your canceled space. Please Note: Should you cancel after October 15, your deposit will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
Registration/Lottery is open July 15 – August 8, 2023. and applicants will be notified late August.
To apply for the lottery please fill out the online form HERE and:
Mail a $200 deposit check to:
Paul Friedlander, 722 Prospect Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Please Note: Make the check payable to Sanghapala Foundation and post date it November 19, 2023.
OR
To register for the retreat please fill out the online form HERE and:
Mail a $200 deposit check to:
Paul Friedlander, 722 Prospect Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Please Note: Make the check payable to Sanghapala Foundation and post date it November 19, 2023.
For all questions please contact the retreat manager, Kathy Cheney, retreatmanager.kathy@gmail.com