Supporting Lokuttara Vihara (Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery)
At our monastery, everything from teachings to facilities are available for free, and kept available through our supporter's generosity. This constitutes a mutually supportive relationship where the lay people offer material support to keep the monastics living and healthy, while the monastics offer spiritual teachings and keep establishments such as monasteries alive for the benefit of everyone. This structure nurtures a relationship of mutual trust, affection and respect.
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“You give what is appropriate to the occasion and to your means, when and where your heart feels inspired. For the monastics, this means that you teach, out of compassion, what should be taught, regardless of whether it will sell. For the laity, this means that you give what you have to spare and feel inclined to share. There is no price for the teachings, nor even a ‘suggested donation.’ Instead, you give because giving is good for the heart and because the survival of the Dhamma as living principle depends on daily acts of generosity.”
Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, abridged from “Refuge” |
If you wish to support Lokuttara Vihara, there are various ways:
Bank Donations
Donations or standing orders can be made by bank transfer to the accounts of the Forest Monastery Foundation ("Stiftelsen Skogskloster").
Figures on the income and expenditure of the monastery can be found here.
Figures on the income and expenditure of the monastery can be found here.
DONATIONS FOR THE RUNNING OF THE MONASTERY:
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Beneficiary address:
Account: BIC: IBAN: Bank name and address: |
Stiftelsen skogskloster
Havnabakken 31 0874 Oslo 1503.21.67419 DNBANOKKXXX NO5015032167419 DNB BANK ASA Dronning Eufemias gate 30 0191 Oslo |
VIPPS
It is also possible to donate for the running of the monastery through smartphone app “Vipps” (beneficiary: "Stiftelsen skogskloster") by using this number: 110436.
CATEGORIES (voluntary, it is not necessary to select a category unless you wish to,)
Donations by bank and smartphone app “Vipps” may be designated to one of the four categories below. To do so, please write the category number when you make the transfer. The monastery/foundation will attempt to use the donation in accordance with the donor’s wish.
Donation categories:
1. Maintenance and bills
2. Monks' travel
3. Monks' welfare
4. For any purpose
Please write one category only. If the message is unclearly written or if there is no message, the donation will fall under category 4. For any purpose.
DONATIONS FOR THE BUILDING PROJECT
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Beneficiary address:
Account: BIC: IBAN: Bank name and address: |
Stiftelsen skogskloster
Havnabakken 31 0874 Oslo 1503.23.96574 DNBANOKKXXX NO1015032396574 DNB BANK ASA Dronning Eufemias gate 30 0191 Oslo |
Tax deductible donations
Forms for tax deductible donations are available here:
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Membership
The Norwegian government gives financial support to religious organizations every year based on the amount of members that they have. The membership is completely free, but for each registered member, we receive NOK 1200 a year. This means that every member makes a contribution every year simply by being a member, without having to do anything.
If you would like to support us in this way too, please register at:
https://buddhistforbundet.no/bli-medlem-av-buddhistforbundet/
Please select “Skogskloster buddhistsamfunn”.
This is the association which receives the money, supports the monastery and organizes related activities such as meditation retreats and weekly meditation gatherings.
We also have the necessary forms at the monastery, and we can help you to register if you would like some help.
Note that you can only register with one organisation at a time; no organization will receive
support if you are double-registered. You will need to withdraw your registration if you are already a member somewhere else, which can be done by contacting the organization. We also have the necessary forms available at the monastery and can help you with this.
Non food items
If you are considering getting rid of something, perhaps you could consider if the monastery can use it. We might be happy to use some things which you no longer need.
Food
The monks live only on what is freely given to them and are not able to purchase or prepare food themselves. Gifts of food has been the primary way people have supported Buddhist monasticism throughout the centuries. If you would like to support us by giving food, there are various options:
Offering the daily main meal:
Anyone who wishes may come to the monastery any day and offer food for the main meal. This could be a good way to learn to know the community and the facilities of the monastery on a more personal level. You can send a message to the monastery kitchen phone (458 68 253) to let the kitchen manager know that you are intending to come on a particular date, or if you have any questions.
It is good to arrive around 10:00. You are free to use the kitchen in the monastery as necessary, please do not feel uncomfortable, our kitchen is also meant for the public, and the kitchen manager can assist you if needed. The meal is offered to the monastic community at 11:00 and then shared among everyone present. After the meal, the monks are available for conversations and questions.
Gifts for the food store:
If you want to drop by the monastery and give food but do not have the possibility to join for the daily main meal, you are always welcome to leave gifts on the kitchen counter, and then the kitchen manager will store and prepare your offerings at the monastery.
Sending food by delivery:
If you are not able to come to the monastery in person but still wish to support us with food, it is possible to help with the delivery of uncooked groceries to the kitchen. The kitchen manager will store and prepare your offerings at the monastery.
It is possible to donate money for this purpose through the smartphone app “Vipps”. Please send your donation to 91694499, and please do not forget to mark your transaction with "DANA".
Alms-round:
Traditionally, Buddhist monastics go on daily alms-rounds to the towns and villages in their area to collect food. On particular days we follow this tradition. Everyone is welcome to meet us and participate.
Schedule
Monks on alms-round in Sarpsborg
Volunteering
There are many things that could be done to support the monastery. For example carpentry, logging, computer work, translations, publications, event organising, etc.
List of jobs.
Please contact the monastery secretary if you wish to volunteer for any administrative work:
Please contact the work monk if you wish to volunteer for other work:
Please contact the work monk if you wish to volunteer for other work:
Transportation
As Buddhist monastics are neither handling money nor driving, sometimes help with transportation is very valuable. If you are willing to be on our drivers list, please send an email to our transport coordinator and we will keep your contact details and contact you with a request when there is a need. Then you can decide if you are able to drive on that particular occasion or not.
