***CLOSED DUE TO CORONA*** (16-03-2021)
Unfortunately the monastery needs to close for visitors again due to the new directives from the government, which will be effective until 11-04-21.
The following measures are effective from today:
All monastery buildings are closed for visitors, including the meditation hall (sala)
Visitors will not be able to eat at the monastery
A table is set up outside where offerings to the Sangha can be made
We can offer a private conversation with a monk for those who are in need, one person at a time, but you need to make an appointment beforehand.
We intend to keep online teaching sessions going through for example Line and Skype.
We wish you all to stay safe and sound throughout this challenging period the world is currently going through and we hope that the government’s measures will succeed in overcoming this challenge.
Unfortunately the monastery needs to close for visitors again due to the new directives from the government, which will be effective until 11-04-21.
The following measures are effective from today:
All monastery buildings are closed for visitors, including the meditation hall (sala)
Visitors will not be able to eat at the monastery
A table is set up outside where offerings to the Sangha can be made
We can offer a private conversation with a monk for those who are in need, one person at a time, but you need to make an appointment beforehand.
We intend to keep online teaching sessions going through for example Line and Skype.
We wish you all to stay safe and sound throughout this challenging period the world is currently going through and we hope that the government’s measures will succeed in overcoming this challenge.
Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery belongs to the Thai forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. It was established on the 1st of July, 2015, when Western monks from the lineage of the late Venerable Ajahn Chah came to take up residence here, following an invitation by the Norwegian Forest Monastery Foundation ("Stiftelsen Skogskloster"). The monastery, which is the first of its kind in the Nordic countries, consists of an old farm with surrounding forest ― altogether approximately 37 hectares/90 acres. It is located in the south-east of Norway, about one hour by car south of Oslo and two-and-a-half hours north of Gothenburg.

Lokuttara Vihara is the Pali name for Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery. In Pali, the scriptural language of Theravada Buddhism, it means "Dwelling Beyond the World". Lokuttara is made up of "loka", meaning world, and "uttara", meaning above or the north. Vihara means either a physical abode or a mental dwelling place. The aim of the Buddhist practice is to transcend all worldly conditions and realize Nibbana which is said to be "above the world". It is also a suitable name for a monastery located in the northern part of Europe.