The Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering
2026
In person gathering
October 12-16, 2026
At Sravasti Abbey in Washington State
Theme: Learning from the diversity of our
intergenerational Sangha
*THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FOR THE 2026 GATHERING*
Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering (WBMG)
The Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering is a gathering for culturally western monastics ordained in a Buddhist monastic, celibate tradition. The Gathering is open to monastics from any tradition, and it is this diversity which is our strength. We learn a lot from each others traditions and ways of training, as well as how we are adapting our training to serve the modern Western mindset.
The Gathering is hosted by different monastic communities in the USA where we share a week of presentations, fellowship, meditation, shared meals and much joy. The community is a mix of monastics from established monasteries to solitary monastics training alone. We practice gender equality.
This will be our first gathering in person since 2019!
Fellowship and new friends
At the Monastic Gathering, we quickly become good friends with each other, and quickly discover just how much the different traditions have in common.
Registered WBMG 2026 attendees' private website page is almost ready; attendees will receive a password in the welcome email
Diversity of Tradition and Practice
The Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering is the first time in history where celibate monastics from all the Buddhist traditions have been able to come together in one place, with a common language and culture. Getting to know each other and their traditions proves to be a tremendously enriching experience.