A Monastery for Laypeople: Birken Forest Monastery and the Monasticization of Convert Theravada in Cascadia

Theravada as practiced by most converts in the West is distinguished absence of monasticism, its dominant institution. Nevertheless, Thai Forest monasticism has managed to gain a foothold convert West, thanks efforts monastics trained Thailand. This article analyzes missionary project “monasticize” Western lay through history Birken Monastery British Columbia, Canada, founded 1994. To establish monastery Birken’s isolated, non-Buddhist environs, abbot, Ajahn Sona effect created village attract and teach them their role orthodox monasticism. The all-consuming nature monasticization among laypeople cut short training homegrown Sangha at Birken, demonstrating challenges establishing domestic continuing dominance laity North American Theravada.