Do you know any English-speaking Buddhist monasteries?

by Samantha Johnson
(Chicago)

I am interested in temporarily staying with monks in France, Switzerland, or Thailand. Do you know of any place that does this with the teachings mainly in English?

Answer: The good news is that there are plenty of English-speaking Buddhist monasteries around - they are popular with students from North America, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Many English-speakers also volunteer at Buddhist monasteries to teach the monks English!

For Thailand, I'd try sawadee.com, which has plenty of Buddhism resources for English speakers.

Switzerland has plenty of Buddhist monasteries, although they would tend to work in French or German. Still, many Swiss speak English so they are worth a try. Check with the Dharma centers database for a list of monasteries.

Finally, France may be the most difficult when it comes to English-language monasteries. Still, I'd start with the Plum Village Sangha.

Comments for
Do you know any English-speaking Buddhist monasteries?

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Moulin de Chaves
by: Anonymous

Here's a great one in France that offers retreats in both English and France (the owners/teachers are English): Moulin de Chaves
Kopan Monastery
by: Mary Passmore

Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal has a variety of retreats all taught in English. I can recommend a home-stay place with a family about 20 minutes walk from the monastery and a trekking company (info@destination.com.np) for anyone who wants to experience family life and/or explore the many treks in Nepal.

The homestay family also sponsors an orphanage and visitors of all ages from around the world volunteer at the orphanage and at the school the children attend in Kathmandu while staying with the Tamang family.
Buddhist monasteries in the UK?
by: michael

Can you plesase tell me where there are English-speaking monasteries in England, Wales or Scotland?
Lists of Buddhist monasteries in England and Scotland
by: Leyla

English monasteries? You're in luck - they're actually quite plentiful. Just start working your way through a good list, like the list of Buddhist temples in Wikipedia or the one on DharmaNet.

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