Issue 23: Updates from the 'Monastery for a Month'

The half-way mark has now passed at Aranya Refuge’s Monastery for a Month on Vancouver Island. It’s been going wonderfully.

Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike have settled in nicely at Earthspring Sanctuary & Retreat Center (the location of the temporary Monastery). 

There is an abundance of scenic beauty in this coastal Highland region of Vancouver Island: filled with old-growth forests, native plant and animal life, and spectacular lookouts.

There’ve been some adventures along the way. Unexpected snow storms, power outages and learning the idiosyncrasies of the rustic buildings on the property. A conducive environment for practice. 🙂

Aranya Refuge Monastery has maintained a schedule similar to that at Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta).

Most overnight guests have stayed for a week at a time. There have been guests who’ve rented places nearby to attend daily. Most guests have been from British Columbia, but we’ve had some guests drive, take the ferry, or fly from Washington and California.

The support from the community has been very positive. There is a palpable excitement about the prospect of establishing a Thai Forest monastery on Vancouver Island for the monks from Wat Metta.

Day Visitors are still welcome to participate throughout the rest of November. The daily schedule consists of morning meditation, meal offerings, self-directed practice, and an evening Q&A with Taan Ajaan Geoff, chanting, Dhamma talk, and meditation. Click here for more info.

Even more exciting, is that Taan Ajaan Geoff has consented to the Dhamma talks being recorded on video, to share with the larger community, so that even those who aren’t able to join in person can feel connected, practise together, and benefit from the teachings.

For the remainder of the month, we’ll be posting the evening’s Dhamma talk videos each day at 3PM PST, on both our Facebook & YouTube pages.

Watch Video Dhamma Talks

(or watch directly on YouTube)

We appreciate the new and familiar faces that have come to the Monastery, the online messages of support from friends far away, and the fortunate conditions that have allowed for us to set up a Thai Forest Monastery for the month of November on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board of Directors & Monastery Volunteers

Issue 22: Some Exciting News

Greetings,

We have exciting news to share: Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike will be in residence for the month of November 2022 at Aranya Refuge’s monastery for a month. 

The monastery will be located at  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. 

This is not a scheduled retreat as found at some meditation retreat centers, 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.

For ease of reference, please go to this page on Aranya Refuge’s website.

Visiting and Staying at the Monastery

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.

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors:

  • Taan Ajaan Geoff

  • Jacqui Balfour

  • Brock Brown

  • Russ Callaghan

  • June Fukushima

Monastery Organizers:

  • Kiran Shahbaz

  • Irfan Pirbhai

Issue 21: November 2022 'Monastery for a Month'

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.

Closer to the time, Taan Ajaan Geoff will let us know which monks will be available for Aranya Refuge’s Monastery for the Month.

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.

Learn more about the 'Monastery for a Month'

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.

There will be opportunities for Day Visitors starting Nov 5 - Nov 27 2022 and Overnight Guests from Nov 7 - Nov 27 2022.

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.

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

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.

Learn more about the 'Monastery for a Month'

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 Organizers:

  • Irfan Pirbhai

  • Kiran Shahbaz

Issue 20: Online July 23 Teaching

Updated July 24, 2022

Audio recordings from the retreat are now available in the Teachings section.

Listen Now

Online Teaching with Taan Ajaan Geoff

Topic: Recognizing the True Dhamma

Saturday, July 23 2022
10am-3:30pm PDT

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery welcomes you to participate in a day of teachings from Taan Ajaan Geoff, also known as Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.

Reading Materials

If you would like to read materials prior to the retreat, Recognizing The Dhamma, written by Taan Ajaan Geoff, is available here.

Schedule

  • 10am-10:15am: Join the Zoom room

  • 10:15am-12pm: Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A

  • 12pm-2pm: Break

  • 2pm-3:30pm: Teachings and Q&A

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1991 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego. In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Offering Dana

For those who are inspired to support the monastics living at Metta Forest Monastery and the monks who will visit the Victoria, BC area, information on how to offer donations can be found here:

For more information, contact organizers at info@aranyarefuge.org

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters

Issue 19: Online Dec 29 Teaching

Updated December 29, 2021

Audio recordings from the retreat are now available in the Teachings section.

Listen Now

Online Teaching with Taan Ajaan Geoff

Topic: Aging, Illness and Death

Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
10am-12pm; 2-3:30pm PST

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery welcomes you to participate in a day of teachings from Taan Ajaan Geoff, also known as Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.

Description

The format of the morning and afternoon sessions includes a guided meditation, Taan Ajaan Geoff offering teachings followed by a Question and Answer period.

Reading Materials

Ajaan Geoff has prepared readings for the retreat, which can be found here.

Schedule

  • 10-10:15am: Join the Zoom room

  • 10:15am-noon: Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A

  • 2-3:30pm: Teachings and Q&A

About the Teacher

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1990 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego.  In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.  Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Offering Dana

For those who are inspired to support the monastics living at Metta Forest Monastery and the monks who will visit the Victoria, BC area, information on how to offer donations can be found here:

For more information, contact organizers at info@aranyarefuge.org

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters

Issue 18: Online Nov 13 Teaching

We regret that this retreat did not happen due to technical difficulties.

Online Teaching with Taan Ajaan Geoff

Topic: Recognizing the True Dhamma

Saturday Nov 13, 2021
10am-12pm PST

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery welcomes you to participate in a half- day of teachings from Taan Ajaan Geoff, also known as Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.

Reading Materials

Taan Ajaan Geoff suggests that participants review this study guide in preparation for the retreat.

Schedule

  • 10am-10:15am: Join the Zoom room
    10:15am-noon: Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1990 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego.  In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.  Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Offering Dana

For those who are inspired to support the monastics living at Metta Forest Monastery and the monks who will visit the Victoria, BC area, information on how to offer donations can be found here:

For more information, contact organizers at info@aranyarefuge.org

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters

Issue 17: Nov 13 2021 Online Teachings from Taan Ajaan Geoff

Hello Dhamma Friends,

Plans for Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike to stay on Vancouver Island for the month of November 2021 have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

We are, however, very happy that Taan Ajaan Geoff will offer teachings on:

Saturday Nov 13, 2021
10am-Noon (Pacific Standard Time)
Topic yet to be determined

Saturday Dec 29, 2021
Details yet to be determined

The teachings will be offered using the Zoom platform. Registration will open one month prior to the date of the events.

For more information, contact us at info@aranyarefuge.org

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters

Issue 16: Online July Daylong Teaching

Updated July 12, 2021

Audio recordings from the retreat are now available in the Teachings section.

Listen Now

Online Daylong Teaching with Taan Ajaan Geoff

Topic: Refuge: Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha

Saturday, July 10, 2021
10am-12pm; 2pm-3:30pm PDT

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery welcomes you to participate in a day of teachings from Ajaan Geoff, also known as Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.

Description

In the time of the Buddha, when people listened to his teachings and decided to take him as their foremost teacher, they would announce that they were going for refuge in him, in his Dhamma, and in the Sangha of monks.

This daylong—through readings, talks, and discussions—will discuss the tradition of going for refuge: why it is called that, the dangers it can provide protection from, and the three main levels on which its meaning and importance can be understood, from the most basic to the highest level of the practice.

Reading Materials

Ajaan Geoff has prepared a document titled Refuge that can be found here.

As well, you are invited to read two essays from his book titled Beyond All Directions:

  1. the title essay, “Beyond All Directions”

  2. the essay, “On Denying Defilement”

Schedule

  • 10am-10:15am: Join the Zoom room

  • 10:15am-noon: Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A

  • 2pm-3:30pm: Teachings and Q&A

 

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1990 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego.  In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.  Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Offering Dana

For those who are inspired to support the monastics living at Metta Forest Monastery and the monks who will visit the Victoria, BC area, information on how to offer donations can be found here:

November 2021 'Monastery for a Month' on Vancouver Island with Ajaan Geoff

Arrangements are in place for Aranya Refuge to host Ajaan Geoff and a second monk from Wat Metta on Vancouver Island for the month of November 2021. We are hopeful that the monks will be able to travel and that we can host group gatherings for meditation, food offerings, and receiving teachings.

For more information, contact organizers at info@aranyarefuge.org

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters

Issue 15: Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery

Hello Dhamma Friends,

The Aranya (Wilderness) Refuge Project organizers have exciting news to share.

We are now a registered Society in British Columbia and we are applying to become a registered Canadian Charity. Our name is:

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery will continue to provide requisites for the monks from Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) to practice and study and to share the Buddha’s teachings on Vancouver Island. Until the monks are permitted to travel to Canada, we will be offering online teachings from Taan Ajaan Geoff, abbot of Wat Metta.

We wish to acknowledge the generous support we received to make these first steps possible. Several Dhamma organizations shared information with us. Volunteers devoted many hours to develop draft documents, and we received generous financial support for legal expertise to ensure that we have a sound foundation for being a Society and to become a registered Canadian Charity. Anumodana.

November 2021 - Monastery for a Month on Vancouver Island with Ajaan Geoff

We are very happy to announce that Taan Ajaan Geoff has accepted our invitation to visit for the month of November 2021. He will be accompanied by a second and possibly a third monk from Wat Metta.

The monks will stay at Earthspring Sanctuary.  Earthspring is near Victoria, BC and offers 123 acres of forested land -- an ideal place for the monks to practice and study. There will be opportunities for the public to come for day visits, offer food, participate in solitary and group meditations, and receive Buddhist teachings.

We recognize that our plans will depend on provincial and federal health guidelines that could affect the monks' ability to travel, and for there to be in-person group gatherings.

Look for future updates on ways to participate.

2021 Online Day-long Teachings - More Good News!

We are grateful that Taan Ajaan Geoff has agreed to offer two day-long online teaching events that Aranya Refuge will organize. The dates are:

  • July 10, 2021

  • Dec 29, 2021

Registration will open one month prior to the date of the event.

The topic of the teachings to be announced at a later date.

Financial and Material Support

We welcome financial contributions from those who feel inspired to support the development of Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery. Visit the Contribute page on the website for more information. Please note that until we become a Charity we cannot offer receipts for tax purposes.

However, a Giving Group for Aranya  Refuge has been established with the Canadian charity CHIMP (Charity Impact) so that you can receive a tax receipt.  Once Aranya Refuge attains charitable status, funds held in the CHIMP account will be transferred to Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery.
Directions for how to contribute to the Giving Group can be found here.

Information for how to share Food and Material support for the November 2021 visit will be announced closer to the time.

For more information, contact us at info@aranyarefuge.org

Taan Ajaan Geoff Talks from Dec 30 2020
Selves and Not-Self 

Recordings from Taan Ajaan Geoff’s online teaching on Dec 30, 2020, can be found here.

We sincerely appreciate the generosity from Taan Ajaan Geoff in sharing teachings and answering questions from the 200 + participants attending from more than 20 countries.

With gratitude from the new Board of Directors:

Brock Brown (President)
Russ Callaghan (Vice President)
Christie Geiss (Treasurer)
June Fukushima (Secretary)
Jacqui Balfour (Director)

Supporters:
Anita Basu
Kiko Brown (Bookkeeper)
Delaine Fleming (By-laws Committee member)
Farrell Fleming (Former Director - Aranya Refuge Project)
Bernie Geiss (Governance Advisor)
John Jordan (Former Director - Aranya Refuge Project)
Irfan Pirbhai  (Website and Newsletter)
Kiran Shahbaz (Website and Newsletter)

Issue 14: Online Daylong Teaching with Ajaan Geoff (updated Dec 6)

Online Daylong Teaching with Ajaan Geoff

Topic: Self-Making & Not-Self

Wednesday Dec 30 2020
10 am - noon; 2pm - 3:30pm PST

The Aranya Refuge Project welcomes you to participate in a day of teachings from Ajaan Geoff, also known as Thanissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.

Description

The Buddha refused to answer the question of whether there is or is not a self. So what are we to make of the not-self teaching? And what of his statements to the effect that the self is its own mainstay? This daylong will explore these issues, showing that the Buddha used both the perceptions of self and not-self as strategies for happiness and as aids on the path to not-clinging, and that both perceptions should be put aside at the end of the path. We will also look into when and what kinds of self perceptions are useful on the path, and when and what kinds of not-self perceptions are more useful.

Reading Materials

Reading materials provided by Ajaan Geoff for the online retreat can be found here.


Schedule

10 am - 10:15 am  Join the Zoom room
10:15 am - noon    Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A
2 pm -  3:30 pm    Teachings and Q&A

Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1990 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery in the mountains north of San Diego.  In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.  Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here https://www.dhammatalks.org

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Offering Dana
For those who are inspired to offer support to Metta Forest Monastery:
Mail a cheque to:
Metta Forest Monastery
P.O. Box 1409
Valley Center, CA 92082 - 1409

Or Send by PayPal
https://www.dhammatalks.org/donations.html

For those who are inspired to offer support to the Aranya Refuge Project 
https://www.aranyarefuge.ca/offer-support

Your support of Aranya Refuge will make it possible for monks of Wat Metta to train and practice on Vancouver Island. When travel restrictions are lifted, our intention is to host two monks for one month or longer. The longer term goal is to support Ajaan Geoff's vision of a hermitage on Vancouver Island.

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,

Aranya Refuge Project Organizers

Brock Brown, Russ Callaghan, Jacqui Balfour, John Jordan, June Fukushima