Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, United States

Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery occupies 280 acres of mountainous forest land about 16 miles north of Ukiah in Redwood Valley. Male residents live in over 25 kutis, small huts set among the trees, while women live in a house and a couple of huts on a separately donated adjoining property. The two-story Reception Hall, finished in 2018, holds a meditation hall, kitchen, library, guest rooms and shrine room; the Monks' Utility Building opened in the upper forest in 2010.

Ajahn Sumedho's visits to Northern California in the early 1980s led to the founding of the Sanghapala Foundation in 1988. The first 120 acres were donated by devotees of Chan Master Hsuan Hua, founder of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, before his death in 1995. The monastery was established in 1995 and now covers 280 acres. It is named after the Abhayagiri temple in Sri Lanka.

Abhayagiri means 'fearless mountain' in Pali, and the monastery is named after a temple in Sri Lanka. Visitors can join the 5:00 am morning puja, which lasts ninety minutes and combines chanting in Pali and English with an hour of silent meditation.

Visitors can participate in meditation retreats, attend teaching sessions, and join community events at a central reception area where meals and accommodation are arranged. Planning ahead is advisable since activities are usually scheduled in advance.

The monastery takes its name from the Abhayagiri vihara in Sri Lanka, not from a deity. The first 120 acres were donated by devotees of Chan Master Hsuan Hua, founder of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, shortly before his death in 1995.