About Our Sangha: Beginnings

Great River Ekayana Sangha began as Washington Tendai Sangha, under the leadership of Chion Ernest Lissabet. Washington Tendai initially met at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department hall in Arlington, Virginia. This is where the sangha was first consecrated by Monshin Paul Naamon of Tendai Buddhist Institute on December 8, 2006: Rohatsu or Bodhi Day.

In addition to regular meetings at the fire hall for services and meditation, the sangha convened for occasional conversations about Buddhism and Buddhist practice over breakfast at a nearby diner. This was an ambitious itinerary, especially for a small group in its infancy.