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