The vision for Sati Saraniya Hermitage was conceived in April, 2007 during Ayya Medhanandi’s second teaching visit to Ottawa while she was still based overseas. A group of supporters from Buddhist communities in Ottawa and Toronto invited her to return to Canada and offered to help plant the seed for a nun’s monastery in Ontario. By September, 2007, Sati Saraniya Hermitage was registered as a Canadian charity (#847237419RR0001) and became established in the city of Ottawa in April, 2008 before moving to a forested 47-acre property in Lanark County outside the town of Perth.

The Hermitage name emulates two vital principles for skilful living: ‘sati‘ and ‘saraniya’ – ‘wise insight’ or ‘mindfulness’; and ‘reconciliation’. When pronounced without the Pali diacritcals (long a’s and long i), ‘saraniya’ also lends beautiful meaning to ‘sati’ – remembering mindfulness!

Contemplative nuns on a life path of virtue, wisdom, and compassionate action are rare in our modern chaotic and often troubled society. They provide an opportunity for women interested in fulfilling their highest potential as human beings to undertake a life of simplicity, seclusion and moral commitment while developing a heart of peace through meditation practice. Their presence creates a unique resource for spiritual dialogue, inner resilience, and social responsibility in the wider community.

“Now is the time when our action is practice. . .
with a noble mind, pure and generous,
we will spread joy around us,
we will feel great peace,
and we will be able to communicate that peace
to others.”

– His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Sati Saraniya Hermitage is a rural monastic residence for bhikkhunis – fully-ordained women – in the Canadian Forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. We welcome overnight guests for short periods of time who would like to share in the lifestyle of our community.

We can accommodate 7 female guests indoors; during the warmer months, there is also space for outdoor camping in a tent.

The Hermitage is sustained through the kindness and generosity (dana) of our wider community. The support we receive is not only financial but also comes in the form of basic requisites such as food, medicines, and household items, as well as through the work of volunteers who help us run and maintain the monastery.

GUIDELINES FOR STAYING OVERNIGHT:

While staying with us, we ask that you:

1. Observe Eight Precepts* – the basic code of conduct for all residents of our community. Our last meal of the day is at 11 am with no food taken until the next morning; and

2. Participate in our routine: all group activities, beginning with a daily morning meditation at 5:00 am, evening meditations, chanting, and work projects.

Whatever food and daily requisites we have are freely shared including the lodgings themselves. We do not purchase any groceries, therefore meals are prepared from whatever food has been offered.

To best enjoy the seclusion and peaceful setting of the Hermitage, we ask that you leave your ipad, computer and all worldly concerns behind.

Since we have no guest telephone or computer service, we ask that you organize your travel and work schedules in advance and that during your stay you remain in the monastery and not make outside trips.

There is no smoking anywhere in the monastery and we are not able to accept pets.

*THE EIGHT PRECEPTS

1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature.
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that has not been given.
3. Celibacy: refraining from any kind of sexual behaviour.
4. Skilful speech: avoiding false, abusive, malicious or idle talk.
5. Sobriety: abstaining from intoxicating drink or non-medical drugs.
6. Renunciation: not eating after midday (12 noon or 1 pm during Daylight Savings time.)
7. Modesty and Focus: dressing modestly, not using make-up, jewellery, or other adornments, not seeking distraction in music, games or entertainment.
8. Alertness: not indulging in sleep or laziness.

Personal items to bring:

flashlight
toiletries
sturdy shoes (preferably slip-on)
work clothing
rain gear
winter clothing (in season)
alarm clock
any medicines you are taking
house slippers
sheets/sleeping bag, towel and pillow case (if you are coming by car)

BOOKING YOUR VISIT:

First-time visitors may stay for 7 days; 2 weeks for those travelling from overseas. Please confirm your reservation 10 days in advance. Do let us know if you need to cancel so as to allow others the opportunity to come since space is limited.

At Sati Saraniya Hermitage, women train as nuns in the Theravada bhikkhuni tradition which was restored only in this new millenium after a lapse of more than 1000 years.

We are closely affiliated with a number of growing Theravada bhikkhuni monasteries in the USA including Aranya Bodhi Awakening Forest Hermitage and Aloka Vihara – both in Northern California – as well as other newly established Theravada bhikkhuni monasteries worldwide.

For women who feel moved to undertake this spiritual training, particularly in Canada, there is a gradual process of entering the community as a laywoman for a period of time before requesting anagarika or postulant ordination – a commitment of one year to try out the life wearing white robes and shaving one’s head.

Monastic life is a deep commitment which can profoundly impact us even if experienced only for a short time. The Anagarika Training Handbook describes more fully what’s involved in the initial steps of this training process.

Sati Saraniya Hermitage is a registered religious charity and Theravada Buddhist monastery for bhikkhunis, the first of its kind in Canada. Located in rural Perth, Ontario, it serves as a sanctuary for meditation and retreat in spiritual community. It is also a ground-breaking opportunity for qualified women candidates to train as bhikkhunis in the ‘Elders’ or Theravada tradition, following the ancient monastic system established by the Buddha more than two and a half millenia ago.

Programs include regular daily and weekly meditations, talks based on the teachings of the Buddha, pastoral support, and daylong retreats.

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Sati Saraniya Buddhist Nunnery

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