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