Metta Forest Monastery
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
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Metta Forest Monastery |
Metta Forest Monastery grew from an aspiration expressed by Ajahn Suwat Suvaco that America should have an international forest monastery in a tranquil setting devoted to the practice of the Buddha’s Dharma and Vinaya, in the style of the Thai Forest Tradition of Phra Ajaan Mun Bhuridatta Thera. Although intended first and foremost as a monastic residence and training ground for monks, the monastery would also serve as a retreat center for a small number of lay students to practice meditation and deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
This aspiration became a reality when, in 1990, an American student donated the funds to purchase a 60 acre avocado grove along Muutama Lane at the foot of Mt. Pala in Valley Center, San Diego County, California. When the land was purchased, a group of Thai and Laotian supporters in southern California, together with monetary support from Thailand, built temporary quarters for monks to stay on the land in time for the Rains: six Thais and one American. At the end of the Rains, the monastery received a royal kathina donation from Her Majesty, the Queen of Thailand.
In 1993, Ajahn Suwat Suvaco appointed Thanissaro Bhikkhu to be abbot of the monastery. Two years later, Thanissaro Bhikkhu was authorized to be a preceptor by the Dhammayut Council in Thailand.
In March of 2000, the monastery purchased an adjoining parcel of land, 80 acres of chaparral bordering on the west of the original property, in order to ensure the quiet atmosphere of the monastery well into the future. Thus the monastery is currently situated on a 140 acre tract of land.
This year seven monks are residing at the monastery for the Rains: one Thai, four Americans, and two Taiwaneses.
Located in an avocado orchard on a hill surrounded by the mountains and chaparral of northern San Diego county, Metta Forest Monastery offers the opportunity for lay people to come and stay for individual retreats of long or short duration. Although Metta is primarily a monastery, part of the hill is set aside for lay visitors who want to come on individual retreats and follow our daily schedule.
Contact Info
Address :
- Metta Forest Monastery, PO Box 1409, Valley Center, CA 92082
Phone :
- +1 619 8138461
Email :
- vickig4@aol.com
Website :
