Sakya Monastery, Seattle
The Seattle Sakya Monastery. Photo © Pluralism Project.
Location map and aerial view of the Sakya Monastery. For a larger view,
see our Seattle Map or get our free Google Earth download.
The only Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the United States, the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism is a little-known treasure in Seattle.
The head lama of Sakya Monastery is only third in rank below the Dalai Lama himself. The monastery is associated with the Sakya school, one of four traditional schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
History
The Sakya Monastery started life in 1928 as a Presbyterian church. Founded as a Tibetan monastery in 1975, it is now a brightly painted building decorated with intricate carvings and red and yellow colors. Sakya Monastery was featured in the 1993 film Little Buddha.
The Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism was home to the Tibetan lama Dezhung Rinpoche (1906-87), who arrived in Seattle in 1960 after being forced to flee his Communist-occupied homeland. A white stupa outside the monastery is built in his honor.
What to See
The exterior alone—complete with prayer wheels covered in Tibetan script— is worth a visit, but several times each week the public is welcomed in for meditation. The interior features beautiful statues, meditation rooms and a library.
Throughout the year, various memorial events and ritual celebrations take place, some of which are open to the public. Frequent classes and lectures occur in the evening, ranging from "Practical Tibetan" for travelers to bead-making. All events are free but donations are happily accepted.
The Sakya Monastery of Seattle also runs a Tara Meditation Center for retreats, located on Whidbey Island.
Getting There
From Interstate 5, take the 85th Street Exit and go west. Cross Aurora Avenue and Greenwood Avenue N. At the second light after Greenwood Avenue N., turn left onto 1st Avenue NW. Sakya Monastery is two blocks down on the right at the intersection of 1st Avenue NW and NW 83rd Street.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Sakya Monastery of Seattle, Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism |
| Type of site: | Tibetan Buddhist monastery |
| Dates: | Building dates to 1928; founded 1975 |
| Records: | Only Tibetan monastery in the United States |
| Location: | 1st Avenue NW and NW 83rd Street, Greenwood neighborhood, Seattle |
| Address: | 108 NW 83rd St., Seattle, WA |
| Phone: | 206 789 2573 (weekdays 9-noon) |
| E-mail: | Monastery@sakya.org |
| Services: | Sundays: 8:45am introductory class; 10am Chenrezi service (both open to the public) |
Sources
- wGuides.com
- Official Website of Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
- A Saint in Seattle: The Life of the Tibetan Mystic Dezhung Rinpoche - Wisdom Publications
