
Watch the progress!
We are so excited about the construction happening on the Buddha Hall! Pictures don’t always do it justice. We feel the ground shaking from the heavy equipment; hear the drills, saws, and hammers; and see the flood lamps on late at night.
We hope that you come and witness the process yourself. But if you can’t, these short, unedited video clips give you a taste of what it is like at the site.
Buddha Hall Blessing – May 2025
Many guests joined us for a special Buddha Hall blessing with Geshe Gendun Samdup on May 17, 2025.
Geshe Gendun Samdup first performed a smoke offering outside and then did a blessing inside the Posadha Room.
Arhat and Offering Procession
Monastics and guests bring Arhat statues and offerings to the Buddha Hall.
We chant “Star Spangled Compassion” at the end of the Buddha Hall Blessing ceremony.
Ven. Damcho plays the fish in the Posadha Room of the Buddha Hall as we chant the Heart Sutra.
Restoration Continues – April 2025
Repairs continue from the water damage in February.
More areas around the Buddha Hall are hydroseeded with native grasses.
Removing Floor Glue
The flooring in the men’s bathroom is being replaced due to water damage.
The new drywall in the library is mudded and will soon be painted.
Restoration Underway – March 2025
Damage from the burst pipe has been assessed and repairs are underway.
Drywall arrives for the Buddha Hall.
Lifting the Library Ceiling
New drywall is installed for the ceiling of the library.
The carpet in the main hall is removed.
Joy in the Main Hall – February 2025
We are inspired and filled with joy to see the Buddha Hall come together, especially the main hall.
Tim Wilson, the architect of the Buddha Hall and many other Abbey buildings, has a chance to play the large fish. (February 4, 2025)
Hanging a Thangka
Ven. Losang carefully hangs a Thangka on the right side of the main altar in the Buddha Hall. (February 6, 2025)
Ven. Losang unveils the Manjushri thangka that is part of the main altar of the Buddha Hall. (February 6, 2025)
Altar(s) Sneak Peak – February 2025
It requires many causes and conditions to fully assemble an altar for the Three Jewels. We are part of the way there! These are not the final forms of the altars, but they serve as a basis upon which we can connect with the holy beings.
View of the altar in the Posadha Room of the Buddha Hall on February 4, 2025.
Tara Room Altar
The altar (in progress!) in the Tara Room on February 4, 2025, including tsa-tsas of the 21 Taras.
Here is the main altar on February 6, 2025. This is temporary, as we wait for the main statues to be finished.
Something to Celebrate – December 2024
Progress continues on the remaining details, but we can enjoy the 98%-complete Buddha Hall in many ways.
A technician checks the computer board in the radiant floor heating system. This building is hi-tech!
Stroll in the Snow
It is lovely to walk up to the Buddha Hall in the snow!
Tim Wilson, architect of the Buddha Hall and many other Abbey buildings, gets a chance to play the temple bell.
On Lama Tsongkhapa Day, the community offers light in the main hall.
More in the Main Hall – November 2024
While the AV team installed speakers and screens in the main hall, the community moved in the large stands for the bell and drum. We painted them, and then hung the bell and drum.
The community worked together to move in the large steel stand for the drum and bell—with the help of a rented pallet jack.
Painting Instrument Stands
Ven. Semkye and others quickly prime and paint the stands so the instruments can be hung.
Will and Sean carry in the big wooden gantry that is used to lift the Bell.
AV installation in the main hall of the Buddha Hall is almost complete, including cameras, screens, speakers, and microphones.
Acoustic Panels
Many acoustic panels are mounted in the main hall to ensure the sound quality is spectacular.
One of the accessible parking areas is power washed.
Closer to Completion – October 2024
Work continues on the outside of the Buddha Hall to deal with the directing of water. On the inside, the AV system is progressing well.
Oct 9, 2024: Rolling out Jute mats on the west side of the Buddha Hall to prevent erosion. Next, the area will be hydro-seeded.
Spaghetti Room
Avidex employees making sense of the cables in the AV room.
Finishing the installation of the six cisterns that will collect over 10,000 gallons of water from the downspouts on the Buddha Hall.
Learn from books by Ven. Thubten Chodron.
Sravasti Abbey
692 Country Lane
Newport WA 99156 USA
[email protected]
509-447-5549
Also see ThubtenChodron.org