WAT-Chithurst-Buddhist-Monastery

About Cittaviveka
Welcome to Cittaviveka! Or at least a brief tour of it... Cittaviveka is also known as Chithurst Buddhist Monastery is a monastery in the lineage of the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. It was established in 1979 by Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho, who was the first abbot. As such it is a residence for bhikkhus (monks) and siladharas (nuns), where their life of training in ethics, meditation and renunciation can be supported in a quiet rural environment.

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The monastery is not a retreat centre, but a living environment of woodland, ponds, wildlife – and human dwellings. Here, through ethical guidelines, meditation and community work, we practise living in harmony. The community welcomes men and women who wish to visit, stay as guests or make a commitment to the monastic life.



Like the Buddha’s teaching, the beauty and peace of Cittaviveka can only be experienced by entering into it.


Chithurst House, which has now been renovated by the resident community, is the area for the general public and a residence for monks and male lay guests. It can accommodate up to seven male guests, in three or four upstairs rooms, depending on the number of monks in residence. The ground floor of the House is accessible to the general public and has a shrine room, reception area, office, toilets and kitchen.

The House sits in an area that is mostly gardens and parkland, and which is open to the general public to go for walks in. Dialogue and meetings are otherwise held in the main House, where visitors and resident guests also eat their meal.