Chithurst Buddhist Monastery

Chithurst Buddhist Monastery sits on roughly 175 acres of woodland with meditation halls, residential buildings, and separate facilities at Chithurst House and Aloka Cottage. The structures are thoughtfully distributed across the grounds to serve both the monastic community and visiting guests.

The monastery was founded in 1979 by Ajahn Sumedho, becoming the first branch of Thailand's Wat Pah Pong to be established outside its home country. This founding marked a significant moment for bringing the forest monastery tradition of Theravada Buddhism to Western Europe.

The name Cittaviveka comes from Pali and means 'discerning mind', connecting the location in Chithurst with the monastery's spiritual focus. You will notice how daily life here centers on meditation and simple routines that reflect Buddhist practice.

You can join daily meditation sessions and share meals with the community at 10:30 AM without needing to book ahead. The grounds are easy to walk around, and comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended since much time is spent outdoors.

The monastery runs an ongoing tree-planting project in Hammer Wood that started when the land was given to the Sangha in 1978. Visitors can see this ecological work as they walk the grounds and notice how the forest continues to grow and change.