Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery

November 2022 ‘Monastery for a Month’

We are very pleased to announce that plans are underway for two monks from Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) to reside on Vancouver Island for the month of November 2022.

Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike will be the monks in residence.

Aranya Refuge has rented Earthspring Sanctuary, a retreat centre 40 minutes from Victoria, BC. Earthspring provides a wilderness refuge suitable for forest monks and for those wishing to participate in the daily schedule of a Theravada Buddhist monastery.

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This is not a scheduled retreat as found at some meditation retreat centres, as a monastery is always in “retreat” mode where lay visitors join in the daily schedule and follow the Eight Precepts. Please read the Monastery Etiquette and Visitor Guidelines for details.

We have spaces available for Day Visitors for the period Nov 5 - Nov 27 2022 and for some Overnight Guests from Nov 7 - Nov 27 2022.

Please register to be a Day Visitor here and to be an Overnight Guest here.

Registered Day Visitors are welcome to join the daily schedule such as offering food in the early morning and engaging in self-directed practice on the grounds. Registered Overnight Guests are welcome to stay up to one week and will join the full Daily Schedule. Our preference is for overnight guests to stay 3 or more evenings as we are limiting the total number of participants each week for COVID-19 related precautions.

Those who wish to drop off food for the monks can sign up here.

We are carefully monitoring health risks related to COVID-19 and its variants. All guests are required to follow and agree to these COVID-19 Safety Protocols.

If you have questions, please email us at info@aranyarefuge.org.

We appreciate the fortunate conditions that make it possible to provide a Canadian wilderness refuge for the monks of Wat Metta and to see how a Thai Forest monastery may take shape on southern Vancouver Island.

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Aranya Refuge Theravada Board of Directors:

Taan Ajaan Geoff
Jacqui Balfour
Brock Brown
Russ Callaghan
June Fukushima

Monastery Volunteers:

Irfan Pirbhai
Kiran Shahbaz