***CLOSED DUE TO CORONA*** (31/10/2020)
With the new developments and increase of corona cases in Norway and the new directions of the Norwegian government, we will once again have to close down the monastery.
Until the middle of December we will regrettably have to implement the following restrictions:
* The monastery and the kitchen will not be open to receive visitors.
* A small area will be set up outside where offerings to the community can be made.
* In order to ensure that there is a monk available, we ask you to make an appointment by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) or phone beforehand. (909 66 462 or 458 68 253). Please no more than 5 visitors.
* Visitors will not be able to eat at the monastery.
* Ajahn Kalyano will make himself available for supporters in need, but an appointment will need to be made by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) or phone. (909 66 462 or 458 68 253)
(1) email or call beforehand to make an appointment,
(2) do not come more than 5 people, and
(3) please use face masks during your entire stay.
* We intend to keep online teaching sessions going through for example Line and Skype. More such online teaching sessions could be organised if there is a need.
* It may still be possible to use the meditation hall under certain circumstances. Please contact us by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) if you are interested to do so.
We wish you all to stay safe and sound throughout this challenging period the world is currently going through.
With the new developments and increase of corona cases in Norway and the new directions of the Norwegian government, we will once again have to close down the monastery.
Until the middle of December we will regrettably have to implement the following restrictions:
* The monastery and the kitchen will not be open to receive visitors.
* A small area will be set up outside where offerings to the community can be made.
* In order to ensure that there is a monk available, we ask you to make an appointment by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) or phone beforehand. (909 66 462 or 458 68 253). Please no more than 5 visitors.
* Visitors will not be able to eat at the monastery.
* Ajahn Kalyano will make himself available for supporters in need, but an appointment will need to be made by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) or phone. (909 66 462 or 458 68 253)
(1) email or call beforehand to make an appointment,
(2) do not come more than 5 people, and
(3) please use face masks during your entire stay.
* We intend to keep online teaching sessions going through for example Line and Skype. More such online teaching sessions could be organised if there is a need.
* It may still be possible to use the meditation hall under certain circumstances. Please contact us by email (lokuttara.secretary [at] gmail.com) if you are interested to do so.
We wish you all to stay safe and sound throughout this challenging period the world is currently going through.
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.
