Ajahn Sudanto returned to the Hermitage on Friday, December 5th, after his travels in Thailand and Japan. The Hermitage is now settling into the stillness of Winter Retreat, which is from January 1 – March 31. Any work projects are stopped during this time, as are most outside events (except Yoga Samadhi).
Ajahn Sudanto will be the only monastic in residence through the end of March 2026. This is the first time that Ajahn has had the chance to spend winter retreat at the hermitage alone, and he is very much looking forward to a time of peaceful, dedicated practice. There will be a few shifts in meal dana opportunities, and our dana coordinator Cāgasiri wanted to share an update on offering alms during the winter season.
DECEMBER
Alms round and weekend meal offerings are continuing as usual for the balance of December. Ajahn Sudanto will be away briefly from December 24 through December 26, and this is already reflected on the alms calendar. There is an opportunity to offer the meal on Sunday, December 28th (as well as the first weekend in January 2026), please email dana@hermitage.org if you are interested in offering.
WINTER RETREAT, JANUARY – MARCH
Visiting the Hermitage
During the winter retreat period, Ajahn will not be receiving guests or hosting group meal offerings on weekdays (with the one exception of the PFoD Upasikas gathering one Tuesday each month). There is still the opportunity to speak with Ajahn and have Dhamma conversations on weekends, and on Tuesday evenings at Yoga Samadhi, which will continue.
If you would like to offer a weekend meal, please email dana@pacifichermitage.org with the date you are interested in; you can view available dates on the meals calendar here: https://pacifichermitage.org/calendar/meals-calendar/
A gentle reminder that while Ajahn Sudanto may receive alms from anyone, he is only able to visit and offer Dhamma reflections when a male is present.
Alms Round
January 5th-16th: Ajahn Sudanto is planning a period of fasting beginning after the New Year. The initial plan is to fast Monday through Friday for the first two weeks, January 5th– 16th. During that time, Ajahn will pause the weekday alms round (weekend meal offerings will continue). Ajahn may decide to extend the fast another week or two, he will update us at the time.
January 19th-March 16th
Ajahn will go on Alms round on weekdays as usual.
March 16th– April 1st: Ajahn Sudanto will be away during this time, so alms round will not occur. (Weekend meal offerings will be paused as well, as shown on the meal dana calendar).
If you regularly offer along the alms route and anticipate being out of town for any part of the winter, please feel free to email the Dana Coordinator at dana@pacifichermitage.org to share the dates you will be away.
Anumodana
We are very happy that Ajahn Sudanto, who is so generous with his time, is taking more time in solitude during this year’s winter retreat period. Anumodana to all whose support make this beautiful gift possible. Thank you, as always, for the care, attentiveness, and generosity that continue to support the Hermitage.