News and Events
Upcoming Events
8-Day Meditation Retreat with Ven. Amarasiri
For more information and to register, please see: https://www.vivekavana.ca/retreats/8-daymeditationvenamarasiri (note: this event is sponsored by the Viveka Vana Retreat Centre)
Read MoreMay 3, 2026 TBC Retreat with Ajahn Pavaro
A Hybrid Retreat Hosted by theTheravada Buddhist Community withAjahn Pavaro Sunday, May 3, 2026Carrot Common Rm 212348 Danforth AveToronto, Ontarioand on Zoom About Ajahn Pavaro -After retiring from an academic career, beginning in 2001, Ajahn Pavaro’s early, formative monastic training...
Read MoreMay 2, 2026 Retreat with Ajahn Pavaro
A Hybrid Retreat Hosted by theTheravada Buddhist Community withAjahn Pavaro Saturday May 2, 2026Friends House (Quaker House)60 Lowther AvenueToronto, Ontarioand on Zoom About Ajahn Pavaro -After retiring from an academic career, beginning in 2001, Ajahn Pavaro’s early, formative monastic training...
Read MoreThe Theravada Buddhist Community would like to invite you to a half Day of Mindfulness with Ayya Medhanandi and Ayya Anuruddha on Sunday, April 17, 2022. The retreat will be available online using the Zoom platform.
Ayya Medhanandi
Ayya Medhanandi is the daughter of Eastern European refugees who emigrated to Montreal after the World War 2. She is the founder and guiding teacher of Sati Saraniya Hermitage, a forest monastery for women in the Theravada tradition. She began a spiritual quest in childhood that led her to India, Burma, England, New Zealand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and finally back to Canada. In1988 while in Burma, Ayya requested full ordination as a bhikkhuni from her teacher Venerable Sayadaw U Pandita. However, this was not yet possible for Theravada Buddhist women. Instead, Sayadaw granted her ordination as a ten precept nun on the condition that she keep her vows for life. When a military coup closed Myanmar’s border, Sayadaw blessed Ayya to join the Ajahn Chah Forest Sangha at Amaravati. After 10 years, Ayya felt called to practice as a hermit nun in New Zealand for six years and later in Southeast Asia. In 2007, after nearly 20 years as a novice alms-mendicant nun, Ayya fulfilled her long held wish for full bhikkhuni ordination in Taiwan. In 2008, on invitation from the Toronto Buddhist Community and Ottawa Buddhist Society, Ayya returned to her native Canada to establish Sati Saraniya Hermitage.
Ayya Anuruddha
Ayya Anuruddha of the United Kingdom joined Sati Saraniya Hermitage community in May 2014. After her initial year as an anagarika she began her life as an alms-mendicant nun in September 2014. This deepened her spiritual commitment to the Buddha’s path of monastic training. Her higher ordination as a bhikkhuni was conducted on December 3, 2017 at Dhamma Dharini Monastery in California with Ayya Tathaaloka as preceptor. The Pali name Anuruddha means “One Who is in Harmony”. It was also the name of a beloved cousin of the Buddha, one of his chief disciples renowned for his penetrating Dhamma vision, skillfulness, devotion and noble qualities of heart.
To join our Zoom Meeting, click on this link:
TBC Online Zoom Session
Meeting ID: 879 4453 5212
Password: 812215
Check-In on Zoom 8:30 – 8:45 am EDT
Zoom telephone numbers for the Toronto area, if connecting by phone:
+1 647 374 4685
+1 647 558 0588
If dialing in from another area, you can find your local Zoom number here: Zoom Dial-in Numbers
The half Day of Mindfulness will include meditation, mindfulness instructions and Buddhist reflections.
Registration is not required. If you would like to donate to the Sati Saraniya Hermitage for this event, please use the TBC donation page and include a message that the donation is for Ayyas Day of Mindfulness retreat. 100% of all donations will be passed on to the Hermitage.
The chants for the Days of Mindfulness will be displayed on the Zoom screen during the opening and closing chants. However, you can print the chants ahead of time if you prefer. They are available at this link.
We look forward to you joining us on April 17th. Please note that this will be a half day retreat and will start at 8:30 am EDT and finish by 12:00 pm.
Schedule
Sunday, April 17, 2022 EDT
| 8:30 – 8:40 am EDT | Zoom Check-In |
| 8:40 – 8:45 am | Introduction and Welcoming Ayyas |
| 8:45 – 9:00 am | Refuges and Precepts |
| 9:00 – 9:30 am | 30 Minute Guided Meditation |
| 9:30 – 10:40 am | Dhamma Talk / Questions and Answers |
| 10:40 – 10:45 am | Thank you to Ayyas |
| 10:45 – 10:55 am | Break or Walking Meditation |
| 10:55 – 11:40 pm | 45 Minute Silent Meditation |
| 11:40 – 11:45 | Closing Chants and Announcements |
| 11:45 – 12:00 pm | Informal Group Discussion |
The Theravada Buddhist Community is pleased to announce that on Sunday, April 10th at 10:00am Ajahn Pavaro will be joining us during our weekly meditation session to offer a dhamma talk followed by a short question and answer period.
Ajahn Pavaro
Ajahn Pavaro’s early formative monastic training began in 2001 with Ajahn Sona at Sitavana Forest Monastery in British Columbia. He spent his seventh year as a Bhikkhu with his preceptor, Luang Por Pasanno, and the Sangha at Abhayagiri Monastery. In 2010 he moved to Thailand and spent nine years with Ajahn Achalo at Anandagiri Monastery in Petchabun. He benefited from periods of practice at Wat Pah Nanachat and from opportunities to receive teachings from leading elders of the Wat Non Pah Pong Sangha, including Luang Por Liem and Tan Ajahn Anan. In June 2020, Ajahn Pavaro was welcomed to Tisarana where he now resides.
This session is available on Zoom at our regular Sunday morning Zoom link: Sunday Morning Zoom
This year’s AGM will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 12 o’clock following the morning session. We will be using the same Zoom link as the regular Sunday morning sessions.
The agenda for the meeting and other material can be found online at this link. More items will be added as they become available.
If you have any questions about any of these items, we encourage you to ask them ahead of time to help focus the discussion during the meeting. You can leave your questions or comments for the Steering Committee in the Contact Us form at the bottom of this page.
The Theravada Buddhist Community is pleased to announce that on Sunday, March 27th at 11:00 am Ayya Nimmala will be joining us during our weekly meditation session to offer a dhamma talk followed by a short question and answers period.
Ayya Nimmala
Ayya Nimmala started her training as a Buddhist nun at Sati Saraniya Hermitage in 2008 under the guidance of Ayya Medhanandi. She took full ordination in 2011 at Spirit Rock Meditation Centre, California, with Ayya Tathaaloka as her preceptor. She then returned to Canada to continue her training with her teacher, Ayya Medhanandi. In 2021, she completed her 10th “vassa” or annual rains retreat as a bhikkhuni (fully-ordained Buddhist nun) and is currently residing at a small vihara in Vancouver, British Columbia.
This session is available on Zoom at our regular Sunday morning Zoom link: Sunday Morning Zoom
The Theravada Buddhist Community is pleased to announce that on Sunday, February 20th at 10:00 am Ajahn Achalo will be joining us during our weekly meditation session to offer a dhamma talk followed by a short question and answers period. The morning meditation period will follow afterwards.
Ajahn Achalo
Ajahn Achalo is the Abbot of Anandagiri Forest Monastery in Thailand. Born in Australia in 1972, Ajahn Achalo developed a keen interest in meditation at the age of 20. In 1996, Ajahn Achalo ordained as a Theravada Bhikkhu under Luang Por Liem at Wat Nong Pah Pong, the monastery founded by Luang Por Chah.
During his years of training, he has received personal guidance from many teachers, including Luang Por Sumedho, Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Jayasaro and Ajahn Kalyano.
Ajahn Achalo considers Tan Ajahn Anan, the abbot of Wat Marp Jan in Thailand, as his principal mentor. In addition, he has found the Dalai Lama’s instructions and example to be of tremendous value.
In 2021, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Rama X of Thailand, granted Ajahn Achalo the honorific title of Chao Khun Vajira Nyanamuni (Diamond like knowledge of peacefulness) in recognition of his good practice and service to Buddhism.
This session is available on Zoom at our regular Sunday morning Zoom link: Sunday Morning Zoom
What's New
Announcements, web site updates, and general news of interest to TBC members
Video recordings of dhamma talks from recent Days of Mindfulness with Monastics are now available for viewing on the website:
- Ajahn Punnadhammo – May 16, 2021
- Ajahn Viradhammo – April 18, 2021
- Venerable Khemako – August 9, 2020
As well, here are recent recordings of teachings from Monastics at our Sunday sessions
- Ayya Santussika – March 14, 2021
- Ajahn Pavaro – October 18, 2020
The Theravada Buddhist Community would like to invite you to
a Day of Mindfulness on Sunday, May 16, 2021
with Ajahn Punnadhammo.
Ajahn Punnadhammo lives and teaches at Arrow River Forest Hermitage and meditation centre near Thunder Bay. He has been studying and practising Buddhism since 1979.
Ajahn Punnadhammo began his studies under Kema Ananda, the founder and first teacher at Arrow River. After this, he went to Thailand and was ordained in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah in 1990. Between 1990 and 1995 he was based at Wat Pah Nanachat, Thailand. In 1995 he returned to Canada to assume the management of Arrow River Forest Hermitage. Ajahn Punnadhammo is a skilled and popular meditation teacher who leads retreats and shares dhamma on his YouTube channel.
Please join the Zoom meeting around 8:45 AM EDT
To join our Zoom Meeting, click on this link:
TBC Online Zoom Session
Password: 883290
Meeting ID: 741 749 355
Zoom telephone numbers for Canada, if connecting by phone:
+1 204 272 7920
+1 438 809 7799
+1 587 328 1099
+1 647 374 4685
+1 647 558 0588
+1 778 907 2071
Next
If you would like to make a donation to the Arrow River Forest Hermitage for this event, please use the TBC donation page and include a message that the donation is for Ajahn Punnadhammo’s Day of Mindfulness. 100% of all donations will be given to the Hermitage.
No registration is required. This day includes meditation, mindfulness instruction and Dhamma talks. The chants we’ll be using during the session will be displayed on the Zoom screen at the appropriate times.
We look forward to you joining us on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
Day of Mindfulness With Ajahn Punnadhammo
Sunday, May 16, 2021
8:45 AM – 8:55 EDT. Zoom Check-In
8:55 – 9:00. Announcements and Introduction of Ajahn Punnadhammo
9:00 – 9:15. Opening Chants and Greetings
9:15 – 9:45. Meditation
9:45 – 10:15. Reflections on a Buddhist Sutta or Teaching
10:15 – 11:00. Meditation
11:00 – 12:40 PM. Lunch Break (Zoom will remain open)
12:40 – 12:45. Announcements
12:45 – 1:30. Meditation
1:30 – 2:15. Dhamma Talk
2:15 – 3:00. Questions and Answers
3:00 – 3:45. Meditation
3:45 – 3:55. Sharing of Merit and Closing Chants
TBC is reviewing how we make decisions in our community and is looking for input from current and past members.
Every year people at TBC make decisions about how we want our group to operate. We have Annual General Meetings and periodic Community Meetings. Those involved in running an activity make decisions about it, and some activities have Leads to help manage them. Last year a Steering Committee was established at the AGM to help guide our group between AGM’s.
The purpose of this survey is to get input from TBC participants about how you would like to see decisions made in our community, and to help clarify how the Steering Committee can support this. We will use this information to put together a decision-making model that will be presented for review and approval at a future Community Meeting.
If you’ve attended TBC in the past or are attending now, we would be grateful if you could spend 5 to 10 minutes completing the linked survey below.
Thanks from the TBC Steering Committee!
To complete the survey, click this link:
Video recordings of dhamma talks from recent Days of Mindfulness with Ajahn Viradhammo are now available for viewing on the website:
As well, here are recent recordings of teachings from Monastics at our Sunday sessions
- Ayya Medhanandi – May 24, 2020
- Venerable Khemako – July 26, 2020
Dear Friends,
Due to the on going Covid-19 pandemic, we have decided to temporarily cancel our in-person Sunday meditation meetings until further notice.
We hope that you will join us in our online sessions in the meantime, and continue to meditate on your own. More information about our online sessions is available here.
To support your practice, there are various Dhamma talks on our Resources page.
Metta,
TBC Board
We’ve added two new writings by Buddhist teachers on Climate Change on our Resources page:
Buddha-Nature, Human Nature: A book by Ajahn Sucitto about our environment and the effects that Buddhism has had and can have upon it.
A Task for Mindfulness: Facing Climate Change: A paper by Bhikkhu Anālayo presenting a Buddhist perspective on Climate Change
Ajahn Sucitto’s book is available in other formats on the Forest Sangha website.
The Theravada Buddhist Community has found a new meeting place in the Peregrine Room at the St. George Hotel, located at 280 Bloor St. West in downtown Toronto.
Our first meditation session at our new location will be on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at 10:15 a.m.
The Peregrine Room is located on the main floor. From the main doors, go past the Front Desk and follow the corridor past the restaurant. At the end of the corridor the Peregrine Room is on the left and the washrooms are on the right. The room is wheelchair accessible.
We feel very fortunate to have secured a wonderful new location so close to the St. George Subway station. There also is plenty of parking in the area including on Huron St.
We look forward to seeing you at our new location!
Beginning this Sunday, January 13, our Sunday morning sessions will start at 10:15 and run until 12:00 noon.
Venerable Khemako’s talks recorded during his November, 2018 visit to TBC are now available on our Resources page. These include:
Friday evening talk
Title: The Buddha’s alternative
Venerable Khemako discusses Dukkha in everyday life and how the typical worldy way of responding to it is inherently unsatisfactory. He then explains how the mind gets entangled in the 5 Khandas in its desire for happiness, but that the result is a kind of mirage. There is a description of the Buddha’s alternative to this grasping – a path that allows one to see how the mind creates its own suffering.
Saturday morning
Title: Questions and Answers
Venerable Khemako answers questions on the following topics: how to develop peace through receptivity and curiosity; How to combine the peacefulness of meditation practice with the busyness of life; How to face recurrent fears; Explaining anatta / not self; the usefulness of the 8-fold path to train the mind
Saturday afternoon
Title: How to best use our precious life
Venerable Khemako reflects on the rarity of being born human and being able to practice and reflect on the dhamma. He also discusses how to prioritize practice in everyday life. He then explains the way meditation can help in the development of insight.
Sunday morning
Title: Samsara and politics
Venerable Khemako discusses how desire for becoming leads to forming an identity, which leads to opinions, including political opinions. The metaphor he provides regarding political opinions in the human realm are that they are like sunspots. Sunspots necessarily have both positive and negative ions – you cannot have one without the other. In the same way, polarization of political opinions and movements are by their nature unsettled, incomplete, and dynamic. He also makes the point that our opinions are due to causes and conditions, and therefore not a fixed part of one’s identity. The solution to the mind’s tendency to reify political opinions is to cultivate wise reflection through the 8-fold path.