A Day of Mudita:
Cultivating Joy, Creativity, and Generosity
Spend a Day in Community and Practice
Join Assaya Sangha for our annual benefit day, devoted to muditā—the Buddhist practice of appreciative joy: delighting in others' happiness, in our own ease, and in the beauty that persists even during hard times. Cultivating joy doesn't mean turning from suffering; it strengthens the heart to meet life with courage and love, reminding us of what's worth protecting and sharing.
Assaya teachers Kate Munding and Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith will lead alongside guest teacher Anne Cushman, a senior Spirit Rock teacher and author (The Mama Sutra, Enlightenment for Idiots). In the afternoon, Anne will guide a heart-opening meditation and writing session, gathering "field notes" on the joys of ordinary life. Sharing afterward is optional, in small supportive groups—listening only, no critique, no experience needed.
Support Our Sangha
This gathering is also Assaya's annual fundraiser, supporting 2027 programming: meditation gatherings, retreats, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ events, and donation-based offerings that keep our community accessible to all women.
Generosity is itself a form of joy. By joining, you support your own practice while helping sustain a refuge for women to awaken together.
Open to all genders. This is a dana day: all are welcome regardless of what you can offer financially. Join us for a day of practice, creativity, and shared joy.
A Benefit for Assaya Sangha
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 am - 4 pm
Join us In-person or via Zoom
Where: Gyuto Foundation, 6401 Bernhard Ave. Richmond, CA
What Your Donation Will Support
Your support will help us continue to meet Assaya Sangha’s current and immediate future costs. All the dana donations are for the Sangha (i.e., to fund General Operations ).
Your contribution will help fund the following:
- Your gift of $50 purchases necessary supplies.
- Your gift of $100 provides funds to sustain our basic operations.
- Your gift of $200 supports payments to guest teachers.
- Your gift of $300 supports Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging training.
- Your gift of $500 covers the space rental costs of in-person community gatherings for one month.
- Your gift of $1000 will help fund our operational costs for 1 month.
The Gyuto Tibetan Meditation Center and MONastery
Community members are welcome to visit the Gyuto monastery grounds. The grounds include three acres of land with sanctuary, community hall, monks’ residences, Peace Garden, large and small prayer wheels, and a light offering house. The also have a short trail–The Path to Enlightenment–lined with inspirational quotes mounted on stone cairns and a picnic area with benches. The dedicate this beautiful land to the surrounding community for the enjoyment of all.
OUR ASSAYA SANGHA STORY
Assaya Sangha started as a conversation between five women who wanted to know what a Dharma community might look like if envisioned and run by women for women. We launched Assaya Sangha almost three years ago, the week before the state went into full lockdown due to the pandemic. Since that time, our sangha has grown in the following ways, thanks to the many dedicated hours of our volunteers, teachers, and a very supportive community.
Perhaps most importantly, we’ve been a steady spiritual home to women through a time of great global challenge and grief. We have thrived during this time because of the tender hearts and collective wisdom that guides this community. We are so fortunate, and we are just getting started!
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou
JOin Us for a transformative Day
- Guided meditations
- Dharma talks
- Mindful movement
- Community connection
- Flower Arrangement Raffle
- Walks on the land
