Sarana International Buddhist Center
Sarana International Buddhist Center:
- Address: 15241, 51st Avenue South Tukwila WA 98188
- Tradition: Theravada
- Phone: (206) 277 8399
- Website: http://sarana.hopto.org
- Main Contact: Polwatte Pagnananda (Phone: (206) 277 8399)
- Spiritual Director: Polwatte Pagnananda
- Teacher: Polwatte Pagnananda
- Notes and Events:
Sarana International Buddhist Center (SIBC), In Tukwila, Washington is truly international. Its altar includes Buddha statues and paintings from Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Burma, and India. One of the resident monks, Venerable Pra Mahamuni Lim Sovann, and many of those who attend the large gatherings at the temple near Sea-Tac airport are Cambodian. But, the abbot, Bhante Polwatte Pagnananda hails from Sri Lanka. SIBC, which was established in 1998, is open to anyone who wants to learn about Buddhism or practice Buddhist meditation. Regular religious services are held every Sunday morning starting at 9 a.m.
There are meditation and Yoga classes every Wednesday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A new vipassana hall was opened in March of 2005, and the Northwest Vipassana Society conducts all-day workshops from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of every month. The annual vassa (rainy season retreat) for monks lasts for three months, beginning on July 24 and continuing through October.
The retreat period ends on October 30, 2005 with the colorful Kathina ceremony during which lay supporters offer new robes, flowers, food, and other donations to the monks. All are welcome to take part in these ceremonies.
Sarana's Abbot, Bhante Polwatte Pagnananda, entered the order of bhikkus in 1965 in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Venerable Mullegama Seelananda and Labugama Lankananda Maha Thero, and received his higher ordination in 1974 from Akurana Pannaransi Maha Thero, the Sanghanayake (leader) of the Raigama Korale (Siamese sect-Kotte chapter). He received his early education from Paravahera Pagnnananda Maha Thero at Dharmaduta Buddhist Seminary in Colombo, and later studied at Vidyaratana Affiliated University Parivena. In 1977 he completed the GCE Advanced Level Examination, in 1981 the First Examination of the Pracina Panditha degree, and in 1983 received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Kelaniya. He was active in various religious and social activities in the Horana area from 1986 to 1994, and was eventually appointment as the chief incumbent of the Boddalgoda Sri Devarakshita Temple.
In 1996 Bhante Pagnananda was invited to come to the United States on a Dhammaduta (missionary) mission by a devoted Sri Lankan physician in New York. He stayed at the Maitri Viharan in Los Angeles and the came to Seattle in 1977. He was determined to establish a Theravada Buddhist center, and the next year founded the Sarana International Buddhist Center in Tukwila with the generous support of Buddhist devotees from different ethnic groups. The Sarana International Buddhist Center is located at 15241 . 51st Ave South in Tukwila, just northeast of Sea-Tac Airport. Further information about the Center and its activities can be obtained from Bhante Polwatte Pagnananda at 206 277 8399.