After more than 20 years of being based at Amaravati, Ajahn Kongrit has agreed to accept the invitation to take up the role of abbot at Lokuttara Vihara in Norway, with Ajahn Nyanadassano, who has also resided at Amaravati for a number of years, assisting him as Second Monk. This forest monastery, located between Oslo and Gothenburg, was established in 2015 by Ajahn Kalyano. Over the subsequent years Ajahn Kalyano has led the community and developed the place with great dedication and it is now well established as a forest monastery. Sadly, increasing health issues over the last period have meant it is no longer possible for him serve the community there in the role of abbot, so he has made the difficult decision to step down.

Ajahn Kongrit will be taking up the position, as ‘Abbot Designate’, in early April, with Ajahn Nyanadassano accompanying him. Ajahn Kalyano hopes to have some retreat time in Europe over May and June, and early July, then going back to complete the handover and finally moving out before the Rains Retreat begins. The plan is that, after this initial period, Ajahn Kongrit will be formally confirmed as Abbot in November of this year.

Both Ajahn Kongrit and Ajahn Nyanadassano have been much loved and appreciated members of the Amaravati community. They will be sadly missed by many here in the UK, but we feel much muditā for the good people of Norway who will be blessed by their noble company and their Dhamma guidance. We wish them every blessing for this new and auspicious undertaking.

Lastly we would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude for Ajahn Kalyano’s great efforts in establishing the Monastery, and we wish him well for his full physical recovery, and in all his future endeavours.