His PhD project explores the role of play in the editing room – how play and creative exploration can open up new choices and narrative possibilities in editing.

Together with Ajahn Nitho, Jon Endre co-founded The Buddhist Society of Norway in 2021, where he now serves as an ambassador. He is committed to building communities for meditation and Buddhist practice in Norway, inspired by the forest tradition and the early teachings of the Buddha.

Jon Endre lives with his wife Adrienne from Singapore and their four-year-old son Theo in Bjørndal, Oslo. His wife has a background from film school in Australia and art school in Norway, and works in film and visual arts. It was their shared interest in meditation and spiritual practice that first brought them together.

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.

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Looking back at the first years of The Buddhist Society of Norway, it is difficult not to feel joy, and a bit of pride. From its humble beginnings in 2021, when Ajahn Nitho and I founded the association, to today’s vibrant community – the journey has been inspiring, challenging, and deeply meaningful.

Ever since a one-day retreat at Sagene Community Centre in the autumn of 2011, I had been in contact with Ajahn Brahm, as well as Bodhinyana and Jhana Grove, near Perth in Western Australia. At BSWA there were also two very competent Norwegian monks, Ajahn Nitho and Ajahn Brahmali. I met both, but at first I had more contact with Ajahn Brahmali, who had been at Bodhinyana since the mid-1990s.

When I attended a three-month rainy season retreat at Jhana Grove in 2019, Ajahn Nitho had left BSWA. Back home, isolated during the pandemic, I eventually searched for him online, hoping to find out where he had gone after Perth. To my great delight, I discovered that he had set up a blog and was seeking contact with laypeople interested in helping to build an organization in Norway! This became the beginning of what is now The Norwegian Buddhist Society.

We wished to establish a community inspired by early Buddhism and the forest tradition – and a way of practising buddhism adapted to Norwegian and European culture, while remaining firmly rooted in the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddhist Society of Western Australia served as a model: an organization built on community, teaching, and a dedicated retreat centre for meditation.

Already in the first year after founding the association, we experienced growth beyond what we could have hoped for: ully booked retreats with waiting lists, growing membership, and support from prominent teachers gave us a strong sense of being on the right path.

Our goal is to build a Norwegian retreat centre – a place where silence, contemplation, and spiritual deepening are prioritized. Along the way, we have organized retreats in Arendal, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, Sandnessjøen, Venabu, in mountain tent camps, and in Oslo. We have hosted teachers such as Ajahn Brahm, Ayya Canda, Ajahn Brahmali, Ajahn Sujato, Ajahn Sindre Ajito, and former monk and now psychologist Jaran Olsen. Each brought unique perspectives – from classical teachings to innovative approaches – and gave participants experiences that continue to bear fruit in life and practice. Ajahn Nitho himself has in addition led several long retreats in Finland and Sweden. Thanks much to the Norwegian Buddhist Association, an independent Buddhist organization has now been established in Finland, and one is underway in Sweden.

A particularly memorable occasion for us was Ajahn Brahm’s visit in 2022, with participants from seven countries – some even came all the way from the USA. His willingness to serve as our spiritual advisor, and Ayya Canda’s role as associate advisor, show that we have strong international support. At the same time, we are pleased with the collaboration with Ajahn Sindre Ajito 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 volunteer work – true grassroots engagement, driven by the commitment of members and their wish to create a living practice. We strive for an organization characterized by equality, democracy, and openness, where women and men, laypeople and monastics practice side by side. Supporting bhikkhuni ordination is a natural part of this – in line with the Buddha’s original vision and teaching of a fourfold community.

For me personally, these years have been the most rewarding experience I have ever been part of. As chairperson, I have come to know both the joy and the responsibility of building an association from the ground up. I have witnessed how Ajahn Nitho, with perseverance, wisdom, and practice, has carried much of the work – always with calm, clarity, and humor – and I have seen how our community grows not only in numbers but also in depth.

Now, as I move forward in the role of ambassador for The Buddhist Society of Norway, it is with deep gratitude and hope: gratitude for all who have contributed and continue to contribute, and hope that together we will realize the dream of a Norwegian retreat centre and a strong, vibrant sangha community.

With joy and dedication,
Jon Endre Mørk

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