In addition to his professional work, he is co-founder of the Buddhist Society of Norway together with Ajahn Nitho, and today an ambassador for the society. He is engaged in building communities for meditation and Buddhist practice in Norway, inspired by the forest tradition and the Buddha's early teachings.

Jon Endre lives with his wife Adrienne from Singapore, and their son Theo in Oslo. His wife has a background from film school in Australia and art school in Norway, and works in both film and visual arts. They share an interest in meditation and spiritual practice.

A DNBF Ambassador knows the society well and represents the society in the public space, builds relationships with groups and people in society, helps with various activities, obtains feedback to the society's board and promotes the values the society represent.

See the bottom of the page for contact information.

When I look back on the first years with the Buddhist Society of Norway, it is difficult to find a more adequate word than wow. From the humble beginnings in 2021, when I contacted Ajahn Nitho and we founded the society together, to today's vibrant community – the journey has been both inspiring, challenging and deeply meaningful.

After many years in Australia, under the guidance of Ajahn Brahm, Ajahn Nitho had returned home to Norway. Ever since a one-day retreat in Oslo at Sagene Community Centre in the autumn of 2011, I had been in contact with Ajahn Brahm at Bodhinyana and Jhana Grove, near Perth in Western Australia. When I attended a three-month rainy season retreat in Australia in 2019, Ajahn Nitho had left BSWA. Back home, and isolated during the pandemic, I finally searched for Ajahn Nitho online in hopes of finding out where he had traveled after Perth. To my great happiness, he had created a blog page, and wanted to get in touch with laypeople who would like to help build up an organization in Norway. It was the beginning of what is today the Buddhist Society of Norway.

We wanted to establish a community inspired by early Buddhism and the forest tradition – a community adapted to our Norwegian and European culture, but at the same time rooted in the teachings of the Buddha. The Buddhist Society of Western Australia stood as a model: an organization built on community, teaching, and a long-term vision of a retreat center.

Already in the first year after its establishment, we experienced a development we could hardly hope for. Fully booked retreats with waiting lists, growing membership and support from prominent teachers gave us a feeling of being on the right track.

Our goal is to build a Norwegian retreat center – a place dedicated for the purpose, with silence and space for contemplation and spiritual contemplation. On the way there, we have arranged retreats in Arendal, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, Sandnessjøen, Venabu, in tent camps in the mountains, and in Oslo. We have had visits from teachers such as Ajahn Brahm, Venerable Canda, Ajahn Brahmali, Ajahn Sujato, Ajahn Sindre Ajito, and former Buddhist monk but now psychologist, Jaran Olsen. Each has brought unique perspectives, from classical teachings to innovative teaching, providing participants with experiences that bear fruit in practice and life. And Ajahn Nitho has held several longer retreats in Finland and Sweden. Thanks in large part to the Buddhist Society of Norwegian, an independent Buddhist society has been established in Finland, and an establishment is underway in Sweden.

Particularly memorable was Ajahn Brahms' visit in 2022, with participants from as many as seven countries – a couple came all the way from the United States. Brahms' willingness to be our spiritual guide, and Venerable Canda's contribution as an society guide, shows that we have strong support internationally as well. At the same time, we are pleased with the collaboration with Ajahn Sindre Ajito and the forest monastery at Vingrom, where the tradition of Ajahn Chah gets a unique Norwegian expression, including in a log meditation hall built in the traditional way.

The society is founded on volunteering. It is grassroots work in the best sense of the word, driven by members' commitment and desire to create a vibrant practice. We want an society characterized by equality, democracy and transparency, where women and men, laypeople and monastics practice side by side. Support for bhikkhuni ordination is a natural part of this – in line with the Buddha's original vision of a fourfold assembly.

For me personally, these years have been some of the most rewarding in life. As the first chair of the board, I have experienced both the joy and the responsibility of building up an society from scratch. I have seen how Ajahn Nitho with his perseverance, wisdom and practice has carried much of the work, always with calmness, clarity and humor – and I have seen how our community grows, not only in numbers, but in depth.

When I now move forward in the role of ambassador for the Buddhist Society of Norway, it is with great gratitude and hope. Gratitude for everyone who has contributed and is contributing, and hope that together we will realize the dream of a Norwegian retreat center and a strong, vibrant sangha community.

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