Name: Arrow River Forest Hermitage
Item: Arrow River Forest Hermitage
Author: Send an Enquiry

The Arrow River Forest Hermitage is a Theravadin Buddhist monastery and meditation center located in Northern Ontario, fifty miles southwest of Thunder Bay. We have 92 acres of land in a beautiful mixed forest. There are presently five all-weather dwelling places on the property as well as a meditation-hall and kitchen, a sauna and a well-equipped workshop.

[Ajahn Punnadhammo] The resident bhikkhu is Ajahn Punnadhammo who has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1979 and was ordained in Thailand in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah (novice ordination Feb. 1991, higher ordination Feb. 1992). Between 1990 and 1995 he was based at Wat Pah Nanachat, Thailand. Punnadhammo is a Canadian, born Michael Dominskyj in Toronto in 1955. He began studying the Dhamma under Kema Ananda, the founder and first teacher at the Arrow River Center.

Lay people are welcome to visit the Hermitage and short or long term retreats can be arranged. We require the ongoing presence of at least one lay person to act as monastery steward. This can be a rewarding experience for the right person.

What Is Expected of Guests

Morality
Meditators are required to keep the eight precepts . Others are strongly encouraged to do so, but all must keep the five precepts in any case.
Dress and Deportment
Both sexes should dress modestly, especially in the meditation room. Guests are expected to behave in a restrained and gentle manner at all times.
Fitness
Conditions here are rustic and can be very challenging for anyone who is not in good health. You should be capable of walking in rough terrain, handling firewood and buckets of water, using an outdoor toilet etc.
Care of the Facilities
It is expected guests will keep their kutis clean and will be conversant with fire-safety before using the wood-stove.
Helping Out
All guests should be willing to help out with community chores.
What to Bring
Guests should bring sufficient and proper clothing and footwear, their own medicines and toiletries etc. Please be sure to bring a clock or watch and a flashlight. It is helpful to bring a sleeping bag. We have posted a detailed list of suggestions for what to bring.

[interior of sala]
Various Reasons to Visit

Stewardship
As a small hermitage in a non-Buddhist country, Arrow River operates by dependence on a lay steward who lives here and takes care of the duties which monks cannot. This is an opportunity to live at the center for an extended period of time and to serve the Triple Gem. The duties are not time consuming and leave ample time for study and meditation. More information about stewardship at Arrow River.
Meditation Retreat
Arrow River occassionally offers group retreats but mostly we teach on an individual basis. Retreats of three-days to three-months can be scheduled by arrangement. More information about doing a meditation retreat at Arrow River.
Work Retreat
Other lay people are welcome to come and stay for short to medium periods if space is available. You can help with the on-going chores and meditate part-time. This is a good option for those not ready for more intense practise.

Duration of Stay

Work Retreat
As a general rule, visitors in this category will be accepted for a period of one-month only, with the possibility of extension, provided space is available, and by arrangement with the abbot.
Meditation Retreat
Length of stay will depend, in part, on previous experience. Those not having any prior experience with meditation retreats will be limited to three days only, allowing an additional day before and after the retreat, for a total of five days duration. In general, people with some experience will be allowed a stay of two weeks with ten days devoted to solitary practice, although longer retreats are possible with the abbot's permission. Note for retreatants: it is considered very important that you complete the time you commit for. All retreatants will be expected to attend daily interviews with the meditation teacher.
Stewardship
As it is useful to have continuity in this position, stewards will be accepted for an initial period of up to three months, with the possibility of extension, depending on space and other stewarding arrangements.

Arrow River Forest Hermitage

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