This year has been a milestone for Wise Spirit Buddhist Community. We became a nonprofit organization, offered two daylong retreats, continued our weekly drop-in Thursday nights, welcomed four guest teachers, hosted an Eightfold Path class, sustained our monthly Sutta Study, launched our First Sunday Series, participated in Portland Buddhist Festival, and co-coordinated the Path to Plenty Walk in support of food security at home and abroad. Each of these offerings reflects the spirit of shared practice and mutual care that your support makes possible.

 

As we look honestly at our finances, we want to share something important: donations from 2025 currently allow us to just cover our operational costs. We are profoundly grateful for this stability—and at the same time, we need to continue to build upon the strength of our existing foundation. To do that, we are setting a goal of $5000.00. Generous donors have offered a matching grant until December 27th, 2025 so your impact is doubled!

 

Our vision for 2026 is both heartfelt and hopeful. With your support, we can:

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• Continue welcoming guest teachers who bring fresh perspectives and enrich our learning

• Sustain the rent for our daylongs and Sunday events, ensuring we have homes for deep practice

• Create a reliable support system for Gregory as our teacher, with long-term goals of shifting from a small monthly stipend to a part-time salary

• Increase the number of annual daylong retreats from two to four to deepen communal practice

• To establish a residential retreat fund to host three-to-five day retreats

   

These aspirations arise from a simple truth: practice flourishes when it’s nurtured. We want Wise Spirit to remain a steady refuge—one where people can meet the Dhamma in an authentic and supportive community.

 

This fall, we invite you to help us strengthen the roots of Wise Spirit so that our community can grow into its next chapter with confidence and care. Your gift, in any amount, directly supports the teachings, gatherings, and relationships that sustain our shared path.

 

Thank you for practicing with us, supporting us, and believing in the value of community Dhamma. May the goodness of your generosity ripple outward in ways seen and unseen.

 

With gratitude and warm wishes for the season,
Board of Directors (Gregory Maloof , Doyle Banks, and Molly Bailen)

Wise Spirit Buddhist Community