News

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on July 19, 2026, in the main Uposatha Hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, Virginia and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident novice monk, sāmanera Giancarlo Chaux received bhikkhu ordination, becoming the newest member of our Sangha. Bhikkhu Giancarlo was given the Pāli name Abhayo.

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on November 16, 2025, in the main Uposatha Hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, Virginia and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident novice monk, sāmanera William Meara received bhikkhu ordination, becoming the newest member of our Sangha. Bhikkhu William was given the Pāli name Visuddhāso.

Sāmanera Ordination

On the morning of October 24, 2025, William Meara received sāmanera ordination in the main Sala at Forest Dhamma Monastery. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano presided over the ceremony and administered the ten sāmanera precepts. Having taken the next step in his monastic training, Sāmanera Bill is now working toward the goal of becoming a fully-ordained monk in the near future.

Kathina 2025

You are welcome to join Ajaan Dick Silaratano and the Forest Dhamma sangha for this year’s Kathina ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in the monastery located at 255 Snakefoot Lane, Lexington, VA 24450. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The schedule for the day is:

09:00 am – Food Offerings to the Monks

11:00 am – Kathina Ceremony Begins

Since the time of the Buddha, Buddhist lay communities have gathered annually to celebrate the completion of the three-month Rains Retreat. This ancient tradition continues today in Theravadan monasteries throughout the world, where individuals and groups of supporters participate wholeheartedly in pledging their support to the monastic community.

The Kathina ceremony represents both a significant spiritual milestone and a joyful celebration that has become emblematic of the deep relationship between lay practitioners and monastics. At its heart, the ceremony strengthens the essential bond between these two communities, providing lay Buddhists with a meaningful opportunity to express their faith and generosity by offering donations to the monks and nuns who have dedicated their lives to spiritual practice.

More than just a ritual offering, Kathina serves as a public affirmation of the interdependence that sustains Buddhist communities. It creates a powerful sense of shared purpose and communal harmony, demonstrating how lay supporters and monastics together form a self-sustaining spiritual environment that has flourished for over two millennia.

Those who would like to contribute from afar, please visit the Support Page on our website. Otherwise, donations can be made payable to:

Forest Dhamma Monastery, 255 Snakefoot Lane, Lexington, VA 24450.

New Audiobook

Forest Dhamma Publications has just released three new audiobooks on our website:

• The first is a New & Expanded audiobook version of the book Uncommon Wisdom – The Life and Teachings of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho. Audio recordings of several new Dhamma talks have been added to the final section, including one detailing Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho’s profound reflections on the truths of science as opposed to the Truth of Buddhism. This Audiobook is available for free download from the Forest Dhamma Audiobooks Page. 
• The second is an audiobook version of the Chinese translation of Gold Wrapped in Rags – Autobiography of Ajaan Jia Cundo. 阿姜贾传奇 破布包裹的純金. 破布包裹的纯金一书的内容是叙述泰国近代著名的头陀禅师阿姜贾一生的传奇故事。阿姜贾是阿姜曼的资深弟子，他与阿姜摩诃布瓦是同一时期的尊者。本书详细收录了阿姜贾身为森林头陀僧侣时，以坚定不动摇的决心迈向止息一切苦的涅盘过程中所发生过的许多事件，包括他在解脱道上的成长与发展的关键时期所发生的决定性经历，在本书中都有相当生动的记述. This Audiobook is available for free download from 中文 (Chinese) Audiobooks Page.
• The third is an audiobook version of the Chinese translation of Venerable Ācariya Mun Bhūridatta Thera – A Spiritual Biography. 阿姜曼正传. 尊者阿姜曼是泰国当代佛教知名的高僧，因为他在头陀的修行上展现了过人的勇气与决心，以及对其弟子们不容妥协的严格教导，使得他的一生都受到了各界广泛的尊敬与尊重。他荣获了佛教界崇高的地位，其生活与教学成为了佛陀追求无上菩提的同义词。This Audiobook is also available for free download from 中文 (Chinese) Audiobooks Page.

New Audiobook

Forest Dhamma Publications has just released an Audiobook version of Gold Wrapped in Rags, which is available for free download from the Forest Dhamma Audiobooks page as well as the English Book page.

Gold Wrapped in Rags tells the life story of Ajaan Jia Cundo, a famous Thai meditation monk who was a longtime disciple of Ajaan Mun and a contemporary of Ajaan Maha Boowa. This book describes many episodes detailing the events that happened in Ajaan Jia’s life as a forest monk, including vivid descriptions of the decisive experiences that occurred during crucial periods of his spiritual growth and development as he pushed forward with unwavering determination to attain Nibbāna – the end of all suffering.

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on July 7, 2024, in the main Uposatha Hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, Virginia and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s three resident novice monks, sāmaneras Chirantha Kaluthanthri, Philip Dial, and Spencer Sortman received bhikkhu ordination, becoming the newest members of our sangha. Bhikkhu Chirantha was given the Pāli name Gataguṇo, Bhikkhu Philip the Pāli name Caraṇadhammo, and Spencer the Pāli name Pabhassaro.

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on July 30, 2023 in the main uposatha hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, Virginia and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s two resident novice monks, Sāmaneras Alec Edgecliffe-Johnson and Lucas Schoch, received bhikkhu ordination, becoming the newest members of our sangha. Bhikkhu Alec was given the Pāli name Adhicitto and Bhikkhu Lucas the Pāli name Sudhammo.

Sāmanera Ordination

On the morning of Visākha Pujā June 3, 2023, Alec Edgecliffe-Johnson and Lucas Schoch received sāmanera ordination in the main Sala at Forest Dhamma Monastery. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano presided over the ceremony and administered the ten sāmanera precepts. Having taken the next step in their monastic training, both novice monks are now working toward the goal of becoming fully-ordained monks in the near future.

Anagārika Ordinations

On the morning of April 5, 2023, Alec Edgecliffe-Johnson and Lucas Schoch took the initial step toward becoming monks at Forest Dhamma Monastery when they formally put on white robes and took the 10 precepts of an anagārika. The ceremony was held in the main hall at Forest Dhamma Monastery with Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administering the precepts. Pop-pop joined us to support his grandson.

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on June 26, 2022 in the main uposatha hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, VA and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Sāmanera Asher Dale, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident novice monk, took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the Sangha as a bhikkhu. Bhikkhu Asher was given the Pāli name Tejapañño.

Sāmanera Ordination

As part of the above ordination ceremony on May 15, 2022, Anagārika Asher Dale took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the Sangha as a novice monk or sāmanera. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administered the ten sāmanera precepts to Asher, who is now working toward the goal of becoming a fully-fledged monk in the near future.

Anagārika Ordination

On the morning of April 2, 2022, Asher Dale took the initial step toward becoming a monk at Forest Dhamma Monastery when he formally put on white robes and took the 10 precepts of an anagārika. The ceremony was held in the main hall at Forest Dhamma Monastery with Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administering the precepts. 

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held on July 11, 2021 in the main uposatha hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, VA and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Sāmanera Timothy Beaudoin, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident novice monk, took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the monastic Sangha as a bhikkhu. Bhikkhu Timothy was given the Pāli name Sumedhaso.

Bhikkhu & Sāmanera Ordinations

In a ceremony held on May 16, 2021 in the main uposatha hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, VA and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, Sāmanera Matthew Ratanajoto, a long-term resident of Forest Dhamma Monastery, took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the monastic Sangha as a bhikkhu.

Joining him in the same ordination ceremony on May 16, 2021 was Anagārika Timothy Beaudoin who received the sāmanera precepts from Phra Khru Siridhammavithes . Anagārika Timothy becomes the newest member of the Forest Dhamma monastic community. He is now working toward the goal of becoming a fully-fledged monk in the future.

Anagārika Ordination

On the morning of March 21, 2021 Timothy Beaudoin took the first step toward becoming a monk at Forest Dhamma Monastery when he formally put on white robes and took the precepts of an anagārika. The ceremony was held in the main hall at Forest Dhamma Monastery with Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administering the precepts. Due to precautions pertaining to COVID-19, it was not possible for the general public to attend the ceremony. 

Kathina 2020 Announcement

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Forest Dhamma Monastery is strictly following all recommended guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the monastic community and its lay supporters. As a necessary precaution the monastery has refrained from holding any large public gatherings this year. Because of continuing uncertainty surrounding the spread of coronavirus, we feel it would not be prudent to hold an in-person Kathina Ceremony this fall. Considering the potential risks to the wellbeing and safety of both monks and lay participants, we have decided to cancel the Kathina event we had previously scheduled for the month of October.

Our monastic community has thankfully avoided the virus and continues to live in relative comfort and security. This good fortune is due in no small part to the kind thoughts and generous and caring support everyone has given us. Your contributions to the welfare of the monastery are always most helpful and much appreciated. Donations to the monastery’s general upkeep can be made through the website’s Support Page. 

As always, we wish you blessings in your Dhamma practice and good health, happiness, prosperity in your daily life. 

Sāmanera Ordination

On the morning of May 18, 2020 Simuntarya Ang took sāmanera ordination in the main Sala at Forest Dhamma Monastery. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano presided over the ceremony and administered the 10 sāmanera precepts. Due to precautions pertaining to COVID-19, it was not possible for the general public to attend the ceremony. 

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held in the main uposatha hall at Wat Yarna Rangsee in Sterling, VA and presided over by Phra Khru Siridhammavithes, on July 13, 2019 Eugene Long, a long-term resident of Forest Dhamma Monastery, took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the monastic Sangha as a bhikkhu. Bhikkhu Gene was given the Pāli name Caranadhammo, which means “one who progresses with Dhamma.” Gene Charanadhammo becomes the newest member of the Forest Dhamma monastic community.

Bhikkhu Ordination

On the morning of Sunday, April 7, 2019 Trent Moyer, Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident sāmanera, took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the monastic Sangha as a bhikkhu. The upajjhāya, Chao Khun Thepkittivimon, presided as over the formal ordination ceremony, which took place in the main uposatha hall at Wat Buddha Bucha in Atlanta, GA. Bhikkhu Trent was given the Pāli name Kovido, which means “one who possesses wisdom.”

Sāmanera Ordination

As part of the above ordination ceremony on April 7, 2019, Anagārika Gene Long took the next step in his monastic training when he entered the Sangha as a novice monk or sāmanera. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administered the ten sāmanera precepts to Gene, who is now working toward the goal of becoming a fully-fledged monk in the future

Kathina Ceremony 2018

You are invited to join us for this year’s Kathina offering ceremony, which will be held at Forest Dhamma Monastery on Sunday, October 28, 2018, from 8 am to noon. The address is 255 Snakefoot Lane, Lexington, VA 24450.

The Kathina offering has been an ongoing tradition since the time of the Buddha. Each year at the end of the three-month Rains Retreat, the lay supporters of Buddhist monasteries have gathered to celebrate the completion of the retreat and to present the community of monks with gifts of cloth and supplies that will be useful for the coming year. The Kathina is initiated by lay supporters who request the opportunity to organize the preparation and the formal offerings. It has always been considered a very special opportunity for donors to join in and develop the virtue of generosity together. You are welcome to come for all or any part of the day.

The alms round begins at about 8 am. After serving the monks, the lay people are welcome to enjoy a meal from the abundance of food offered. The ceremonial offering of the Kathina cloth will begin around 11 am.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us in spirit.

Ajaan Paññāvaddho’s Dhamma translated into Italian

Maria Barzoi, a member of the Santacittarama lay community in Italy, has recently finished translating the Dhamma teaching section of Uncommon Wisdom ― The Life and Teachings of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho into Italian. The translation was ably supervised by Ajahn Mahāpañño of Santacittarama. All 12 chapters of the teaching section, plus the introduction and a short biographical sketch of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho, have been published in PDF and ePub formats and are offered for free download at this link.

Also freely available on saddha, the website created and run by a group of friends of the Santacittarama Monastery, are all 4 sections of the DVD The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho with Italian subtitles. The DVD can be downloaded at www.saddha.it/pannavaddho-dvd/.

Anumodana sadhu to Ajahn Mahāpañño, Maria and the Santacittarama lay community.

Novice Ordination

On the morning of August 12, 2018 two of Forest Dhamma Monastery’s resident white-robed anagārikas, Trent Moyer and Nathan Hershey, took the next step in their monastic training when they took ordination as novice monks or sāmaneras. Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano presided over the ceremony and administered the sāmanera precepts. Sāmanera Trent and Sāmanera Nathan are now working toward their goal of becoming fully-fledged monks in the future.

Anagārika Ordination

On July 28, 2018 Gene Long took the first step toward becoming a monk at Forest Dhamma Monastery when he formally put on white robes and took the precepts of an anagārika. The ceremony was held in the main hall at Forest Dhamma Monastery with Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano administering the precepts.

Bhikkhu Ordination

In a ceremony held at Wat Buddha Bucha in Atlanta, GA and presided over by Chao Khun Thepkittiwimon, on July 14, 2018 Chris Ornelas, a long-term resident of Forest Dhamma Monastery, was ordained as a monk. Bhikkhu Chris Devadhammo is the newest member of our sangha. He is pictured on the right in the photograph above.

Introduction to the New Website

Welcome to Forest Dhamma Monastery’s newly redesigned website. Because our original web pages were based on a now outdated template, one which lacked the cross platform friendliness which is such a feature of today’s web design, we have made a complete overhaul of our website. The present design features are centered around a new Forest Dhamma logo and reflect the evolving direction of the monastic community, one which has advanced from building physical structures to building hearts and minds, from a focus on infrastructure to an emphasis on introspection.

The website’s About pages tell the story of Forest Dhamma Monastery in the context of the forest lineage which is its basis, inviting those who are interested in what the monastery has to offer to come and visit for a while, or perhaps even to turn monastic living into a way of life.

At present the Book section offers 15 original books in English, 21 books in Thai, 5 books translated into Chinese, 4 books into Portuguese, 3 books into German, 3 books into Vietnamese, 2 books into Singhalese, 2 books into Indonesian, 2 books into Spanish, 1 book into French and 1 into Italian. In total we offer 59 Buddhist titles for free download on this site. In addition to that, all our English-language books are now offered on the website as Audiobooks for free download.

Many thanks to our neighbor Dennis Silfer for the photo of the Sala timber frame being erected used as the cover photo for the About History page.

วิสัยทัศน์ที่เป็นหัวใจของวัดอรัญญธรรมาราม คือการนำเสนอการปฏิบัติธรรมแบบชาวพุทธ ตามวิถีของวัดป่าไทย และธำรงรักษาวิถีนี้ไว้ ด้วยการสร้างอาจารย์ผู้ฝึกที่มีความสามารถและมีประสบการณ์ สิ่งนี้คือหน้าที่หลักของสถานปฏิบัติธรรมวัดอรัญญธรรมาราม นามของสถานปฏิบัติธรรมแห่งนี้สะท้อนถึงศักยภาพในการตื่นรู้ทางจิตวิญญาณ ท่ามกลางสภาพแวดล้อมทางธรรมชาติที่สงบสุขของป่าไม้และขุนเขา “วัดอรัญญธรรมาราม” มุ่งมั่นที่จะสร้างชุมชนผู้ฝึกสมาธิ ทุ่มเทในการนำคำสอนของพระพุทธองค์มาปฏิบัติอย่างเป็นรูปธรรม และสนับสนุนการใช้ชีวิตอย่างเรียบง่าย ในสภาพแวดล้อมอันเงียบสงบท่ามกลางธรรมชาติที่โอบล้อม

ที่เว็บไซต์นี้ เราได้รวมหนังสือธรรมะสำคัญ ๆ ทั้ง ๒๑ เล่ม ของท่านอาจารย์พระมหาบัว ญาณสัมปนโน วัดป่าบ้านตาด ซึ่งสามารถดาวน์โหลดได้ พร้อมเสียงเทศนาทุกกัณฑ์ในแต่ละเล่ม คล้ายเป็น audiobook อยู่ในตัวเกือบทุกเล่ม