Chithurst Buddhist Monastery

Chithurst Buddhist Monastery

Cittaviveka, popularly known as Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, is a Theravada Buddhist Monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition. It is situated in West Sussex, England in the hamlet of Chithurst between Midhurst and Petersfield. It was established in 1979 in accordance with the aims of the English Sangha Trust, a charity founded in 1956 to support the ordination and training of Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) in the West. The current abbot, since 1992, is Ajahn Sucitto.

The monastery was established by Ajahn Sumedho under the auspices of his teacher, Ajahn Chah of Wat Pah Pong, Ubon, Thailand. Ajahn Chah visited the monastery at its inception and Cittaviveka is the first branch monastery of Wat Pah Pong to be established outside of Thailand. Although the style of the monastery has modified to accommodate Western climate and social conditions, it retains close links with Thailand especially monasteries of the Thai Forest Tradition and is supported by an international community of Asians and Westerners.

“Cittaviveka” is a term used in the Pāli scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. It means “mind withdrawn .” The monastery was so named by Ajahn Sumedho, the first abbot (1979–1984) as a suitable word-play on “Chithurst,” the hamlet in which its main house is situated. The title “Chithurst Buddhist Monastery” is also commonly used, although the approximately 175 acres/70 hectares of the monastery’s land extend into the adjacent parish.

Subsequent abbots have been Ajahn Ānando (1984–1992) and Ajahn Sucitto (1992- ). The monastery is supported by donations and lay people may visit or stay for a period of time as guests free of charge. Teachings are given on a regular basis, generally on weekends.