Note by Spiritual Leader

I can not see any better way of living, than having the development of the mind, wisdom and human happiness as the main focus. Since ancient times, people have retreated to mountains and forests because such places give us a natural foundation for peace, harmony and energy – a foundation for the development of wisdom. For more than 2500 years, Buddhist societies have developed meeting places and centres, both in rural places and hectic cities, where values such as generosity, kindness, ethics, peace, energy, wisdom and freedom can be cultivated. These are all spiritual elements that lift the human mind and create a lasting inner lightness, freedom and quality of life over time.

One of the Buddha’s metaphors is about thoroughbred horses that can run fast, are beautiful to look at and have good proportions. The Buddha explained in this metaphor that thoroughbred monks also exist, those who are fast, beautiful and have good proportions. Fast in developing wisdom, beautiful when they are teaching, and having good proportions when they are able to get resources to establish and maintain a centre (AN 9.22). So the work instructions are ready.

Because of my Norwegian background, and after 14 years of spiritual training in Australia and Thailand, it has been a natural development to return to Norway. The job to establish and maintain such centres is a long term task. Some people will wish to study, others wish to learn meditation, and some will deepen their meditation practise on shorter or longer retreats. Picking up training rules are important for many, and only a few will spend a lifetime training, teaching and leading by taking an ordination.

The Buddhist Society of Norway will be an exciting adventure with teaching, practice and realization of wisdom!

Ajahn Nitho
April 2021

To avoid doing evil, develop the good, and purify your mind – these are the teachings of the Buddha. (dhp 183)

After finishing high school, a year at the University of Bergen, a Bachelor’s degree at NHH (The Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration), a few years working as a CFO and two years of global backpacking, I went to Australia in 2007 to be ordained as a Buddhist bhikkhu (monk), under Ajahn Brahm at the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BSWA), Perth.

After one year as an anagarika (postulant), one year as a samanera (novice), I took higher ordination as a bhikkhu (monk) in 2009. After more than 10 years of training as a bhikkhu, my way now is to return to Norway as a senior monk.

I was ordained into a Buddhist forest tradition that came out of Thailand, and it was Ajahn Chah that managed to ordain many Westerners. Among them was Ajahn Brahm who ended up going to Perth, Australia. Today, both Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Ganha (in Thailand) are my mentors and spiritual masters.

Ajahn Chah (1918-1992)
Wat Nong Pah Pong
46 Moo 10 Bahn Pongsawang, Tambon Non Peung, Ampher Warin Chamrab, Jangwat Ubon Ratchathani 34190, THAILAND
http://www.watnongpahpong.org/indexe.php
Map link: Wat Nong Pah Pong

Ajahn Brahm
Bodhinyana Monastery
216 Kingsbury Drive, Serpentine WA 6125, Australia
https://bswa.org/
Map link: Bodhinyana

Ajahn Ganha
Wat Pah Subthawee
Nakhon Ratchasima, 30370 Thailand
https://www.watpahsubthawee.org/
Map link: Wat Pah Subthawee