Issue 29: Celebrating A Special Birthday and Spring 2024 'Monastery for a Month'

Greetings,

Ajaan Geoff’s students are organizing a special evening of meditation on Wednesday, December 27th from 6:30-8:00PM Pacific Time (PT) to celebrate Taan Ajaan Geoff’s birthday (on December 28th).

The patipatti-puja (homage through the practice), will start with participants recording their good wishes to Ajaan Geoff. This recorded message will be sent to Taan Ajaan on his birthday. The evening will then follow the usual format for the Uposatha evenings: chanting with a recording from the Wat Mettā Sangha, a recorded Dhamma talk from Ajaan Geoff, and silent meditation.

To join the session:

  • Zoom Meeting ID: 878 3693 7349

  • Zoom Passcode: Appamada

Registrations are open for Aranya Refuge's Spring 2024 'Monastery for a Month' from March 18 to April 14, 2024. 

Consider staying as an Overnight Guest, joining as a Day Visitor, or offering food to the monks.

Overnight Guests
We have spaces available for Overnight Guests to stay for one-week periods, Monday to Sunday:

  • March 18-24

  • March 25-31

  • April 1-7

  • April 8-14

Accommodation options include single rooms, dorm space, small heated cabins (bed only).

👉 Apply to be an Overnight Guest here.

Day Visitors
We welcome applications for Day Visitors from Monday, March 18, through to Sunday, April 14, 2024.
👉 Apply to be a Day Visitor here.

Offering Food to the Monks
We welcome anyone who wishes to bring food for the monks. Please email ahead of time for meal planning purposes.
👉 Learn more about offering food here.


For any questions or concerns, please email us at registrar@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, Irfan Pirbhai

  • Registration Team: Suzan Denis, Cameron Young

Issue 28: Important Update on Spring 2024 'Monastery for a Month'

Greetings,

We have an update regarding our 'Monastery for a Month' event. The new dates are now set for Monday, March 18 to Sunday April 14, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Overnight Guests

We have spaces available for Overnight Guests to stay for one week periods, Monday to Sunday: Mar 18-24, Mar 25-31; Apr 1-7, Apr 8-14. Accommodation options include single rooms, dorm space, small heated cabins (bed only).

Please note that registrations for the first week are close to being complete. There is room for males interested in dormitory stays.

Given the demand, we advise registering soon to secure your place. Should spots fill up, a waitlist will be available to accommodate any last-minute openings. Apply to be an Overnight Guest here.

Day Visitors

We welcome applications for Day Visitors from Monday, March 18, through to Sunday, April 14, 2024. Apply to be a Day Visitor here.

Offering Food to the Monks
We welcome anyone who wishes to bring food for the monks. Please email ahead of time for meal planning purposes.

For any questions or concerns, please email us at registrar@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, Irfan Pirbhai

  • Registration Team: Suzan Denis, Cameron Young

“Note the importance of using your sense of humor to—as we say in English—“make light” of difficulties. We’ve already seen the element of humor in the story of Lady Vedehikā. But the use of humor in developing endurance is something universal and contains an element of folk wisdom.

There was a British explorer in Canada back in the 1830s who wanted to find a copper deposit that was said to be in the Northwest Territories. He couldn’t find anyone to guide him there except for a group of Dene natives. So, he decided to go with them. It was one of the first cases of a British explorer entrusting his life to the natives. As they were going across the territory, they lived off their hunting and fishing skills. He noticed that on the days when the hunting and fishing were bad, those were the days when the Dene were telling the most jokes, to keep their spirits up in spite of the hunger.

These are some of the ways that you use your knowledge of fabrication to help you endure a situation.”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Good Heart, Good Mind, Maintaining Concentration

Issue 27: March 2024 'Monastery for a Month'

Update: New Dates for Our Spring 2024 ‘Monastery for a Month’ – March 18 to April 14, 2024.

Greetings,

Aranya Refuge Monastery for a Month - March 2024

We are excited to announce that Aranya Refuge will have a temporary monastery for the month of March 2024. 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. 

Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike were the resident monks at Aranya Refuge’s monastery for a month at Earthspring in November 2022. They found the location was very supportive for their practice.

Ajaan Peter and Taan Will, senior monks from Metta Forest Monastery, will be our monks in residence for March 2024.

Ajaan Peter and Taan Will have been to Vancouver Island for previous month-long visits. Taan Will came for Aranya Refuge’s inaugural month-long visit in May 2018 and Ajaan Peter came for a month-long visit in May 2019. We look forward to their return to Vancouver Island.

The Monastery Experience
The monastery experience 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.

As well, you can view photos from our successful November 2022 temporary monastery here.

Visiting and Staying at the Monastery

Overnight Guests
We have spaces available for Overnight Guests to stay for one week periods, Monday to Sunday, from March 4 - Mar 30 2024. Accommodation options include single rooms, dorm space, small heated cabins - bed only.

Please apply to be an Overnight Guest here.

Day Visitors
Day Visitors are welcome from March 4 2024 - March 30 2024.

Registered Day Visitors can join the daily schedule, such as offering food in the early morning, engaging in self-directed practice on the grounds, and joining the meditation gatherings.

Please apply to be a Day Visitor here.

Offering Food to the Monks
We welcome anyone who wishes to bring food for the monks. Please email ahead of time for meal planning purposes.

Please email us at registrar@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, Irfan Pirbhai

  • Registration Team: Suzan Denis, Cameron Young

Issue 26: Registration Open For Online Retreat With Taan Ajaan Geoff

Registration is now open for the next online day-long retreat with Taan Ajaan Geoff.

Topic: The Distinctive teachings of the Thai Forest tradition

Saturday, July 22, 2023
10am-3:30pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

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

Description

People often talk of the teaching style of the Thai Forest ajaans, but what of the substance of their teachings? What is their position on some of the controversial issues in Theravada thought?

This daylong will explore these issues by focusing on the teachings of the most articulate members of the tradition: Ajaan Mun, Ajaan Lee, and Ajaan Maha Boowa.

Reading Materials

Taan Ajaan Geoff has prepared the following readings for the retreat:

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

After registering, you will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation notice, and in the reminder notices emailed to you closer to the date of the teachings.

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 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.

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 25: Online July 22 Teaching

Updated July 26, 2023

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

Online Teaching with Taan Ajaan Geoff

Topic: The Distinctive teachings of the Thai Forest tradition

Saturday, July 22, 2023
10am-3:30pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

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

Description

People often talk of the teaching style of the Thai Forest ajaans, but what of the substance of their teachings? What is their position on some of the controversial issues in Theravada thought?

This daylong will explore these issues by focusing on the teachings of the most articulate members of the tradition: Ajaan Mun, Ajaan Lee, and Ajaan Maha Boowa.

Reading Materials

Taan Ajaan Geoff has prepared the following readings for the retreat:

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

REGISTERING

Click here to register.

After registering, you will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation notice, and in the reminder notices emailed to you closer to the date of the teachings.

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 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.

Aranya Refuge Monastery Development News

Aranya Refuge organizers are hopeful that in 2024 we can invite Wat Metta monks to stay on Vancouver Island for a month-long temporary monastery. We appreciate all who are supporting our efforts. Here are some photos and teachings from last year’s ‘Monastery for a Month’.

With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Sincerely,

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery Board and Supporters


Issue 24: November 2022 ‘Monastery for a Month' Wrap Up

Dear Friends of Aranya Refuge,

We are writing to express our deep gratitude for the opportunity to have a Monastery for a Month held on Vancouver Island in November 2022.   

We’re thrilled to report that the event was a great success, thanks to our resident monastics, Abbot Taan Ajaan Geoff, Taan Mike, and to all the participants. We sincerely appreciate the generosity and support of people like you.

Taan Ajaan Geoff was the heartbeat of the community, leading daily practice, extended fireside Q&A sessions and daily Dhamma talks that weaved together each day’s themes. Taan Mike served as Ajaan’s attendant, while also helping around the monastery – and quickly developing an easy familiarity with the intricate trail system of the old-growth forests. The venue for the temporary monastery – Earthspring Sanctuary – provided an ideal setting for practice: lush, serene, unpredictable, nourishing.

Throughout the course of the month, 50 people assembled to form a Parisā – a community of lay and ordained Dhamma practitioners. 

Most participants were local from Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island, Vancouver, and the lower mainland ; some traveled from further across Canada, and others ventured in from the United States.

There were overnight guests, day visitors who stayed nearby, drop-in guests, supporters who brought or sent food to the monastery, and many dedicated Dhamma friends around the world sharing enthusiasm and support through online groups and chat messages.

Here are some photos and teachings from the month.

As we look ahead to 2023, Taan Ajaan Geoff and the other members of the Aranya Refuge Board of Directors are exploring how we can continue to support monks from Wat Metta to return for a month of practice and teachings.

If you’re interested in supporting the expenses from last month’s Monastery for the Month, please know that your financial contributions will cover costs related to travel & accommodation for Taan Ajaan Geoff and Taan Mike from Wat Metta to Victoria; groceries and requisites for the monks; rental of Earthspring Sanctuary; additional supplies needed throughout the month; and event insurance. Click here for information on how to contribute.

Anumodana to all who contributed past and present, and made it possible to go ahead with the “pop-up” monastery this year. 🙏

We also look forward to continuing to practice and grow together in community. If you would like to join other students of Taan Ajaan Geoff for regular online practice, please visit the following groups:

You can also find the full collection of Taan Ajaan Geoff’s evening and morning talks under “November 2022” on dhammatalks.org.

If you have any questions about Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery, our plans for the future, or how to get involved, feel free to email us at info@aranyarefuge.org.

With deep gratitude,

The Aranya Refuge team

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.

(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.

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.

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.

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