Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery
Two-Month Monastery 2027

We are very happy to invite you to participate in Aranya Refuge's seventh temporary monastery during the months of February and March 2027. Following the success of our 2025 and 2026 programs, we’re returning to Tugwell Cottage, a log home in rural Sooke, approximately 1 hour west of Victoria, BC. The monks will stay in a separate residence on the property.

Monks from Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) will be supported to further their practice and offer teachings on a daily basis throughout the two months. We are hosting Ajaan Peter and Than Will in February, and Ajaan Isaac and Than Peter in March. You are welcome to offer food for the daily meal, visit for the day, or apply to stay for one week as an overnight guest.

The Monastery Experience

The schedule follows that of a typical monastery in the Thai forest tradition: early morning chanting and group meditation, the morning meal, and free time to meditate for most of the day. There are two optional group meditation sits in the afternoon for the lay guests. Evenings include tea and Q&A with the monks, followed by chanting, group meditation, and a recorded Ajaan Geoff dhamma talk. Lay visitors benefit from direct contact with the monks who have devoted their lives to the practice of the Dhamma and Vinaya. Guests help in the daily preparation and offering of food, and assist with the upkeep of the facilities. There is plenty of time for meditating in the meditation hall and walks in the rural forested area.

There is no charge for room or board, or for the teachings. Everything is provided in the spirit of generosity (dāna) by the monks and supporters of the Monastery.

Visiting and Staying at the Monastery

Meal Offering (Dāna) to the Monastics

You are welcome to bring food for the monks on any day from February 1 through March 28, 2027. If you plan to come, or have questions, please email registrar@aranyarefuge.org.

Learn more here.

Day Visitors

Day Visitors are welcome from Feb 1 - Mar 28, 2027. No registration is needed. If you plan to come, or have questions, please email registrar@aranyarefuge.org.

Day Visitors can join the daily schedule, such as offering food at the morning meal offering, meditating in the meditation hall, going for walks in the rural area, and joining the group meditation gatherings.

Learn more about visiting here.

Overnight Guests

We have some rooms available for Overnight Guests to stay Feb 1 - Mar 28, 2027.

Eight cohorts, which are one week-long in length are available for Monday to Sunday stays.

Accommodation options include single rooms, and shared rooms for two people of the same gender. One small additional room is also available. Space is limited.

You may apply to be an Overnight Guest here.

If you are interested in helping as a steward, there’s an optional question on the application, or you can email us at registrar@aranyarefuge.org. Please let us know what experience you have.

Please click to learn more about:

As well, you can view photos from our previous ‘Two-Month Monastery’ programs here.

Questions? Please email us at registrar@aranyarefuge.org.

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island!

  • Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

  • Two-Month Monastery Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Irfan Pirbhai