Mettā Forest Monastery
| Mettā Forest Monastery | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Thai Forest Tradition |
| Location | |
| Location | 13560 Muutama Lane Valley Center, CA 92082 |
| Country | United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°19′34″N 117°02′07″W / 33.3261°N 117.0353°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Ajaan Suwat Suvaco |
| Completed | 1990 |
| Website | |
| http://www.watmetta.org/ | |
Mettā Forest Monastery, also known as Wat Mettāvarānaṁ or Wat Mettā, is a Theravāda monastery in Valley Center, California. It was founded in 1991 by Ajaan Suwat Suvaco (1919–2002) along with his student Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. Ajaan Ṭhānissaro has been the resident abbot since 1993.: 178 : 40 Currently there are ten resident bhikkhus, nine American bhikkhus and one Thai, as well as space for lay Buddhists on overnight retreat.: 103
Ajaan Ṭhānissaro stresses the importance of strict adherence to the Vinaya or Buddhist monastic code which teaches relying only on donations from the lay community as well as living in the wilderness, a key feature of the Thai Forest Tradition of which he is a part.: 178 All visitors are expected to follow the Eight Precepts of Buddhism, which helps introduce students into the practice of Theravāda Buddhism.